tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842Thu, 26 Feb 2015 07:29:22 +0000CommentaryMediaCAWMCWREGFox13ABC24FlyerMDNNotesTigersMCSTha MATTM:MMBJCohenMemphisTSDMLGWBlogsJohn FordSmart CityRadioFarrowHappiness ProjectDeSoto Times3ShadesAppointmentsShelby CountyPerrusquiaCOGICLester StreetAnna Mae HeTexas TeensJenksSex-FieldsWillie HerentonTamara Mitchell-FordNetworxMPDGeoff CalkinsBradfordC. PeckSCSDPMonetizingA C WhartonMitchell HighAdvertisingDHelmGodspeedOpieWendi Thomas2010GrizzSocial MediaNinth DistrictTornadic TuesdayVidulichSurrenderWKNODan WolkenJackson BakerLayoffsCrimeScrippsWindjammerRon TillerySweepsFedExGrab BagHayesNYTAmos MakiBill DayConsolidationJournalismK.CashK.GoetzNewspaper GuildSanfordVernonBlue CRUSHClearChannelColliervilleObamaPovertyRCJohnsonSCNBill DriesCirculationCitadelDavid WatersESPNForeclosureJohn BranstonLes SmithMStarReal EstateStimulusTracey RogersTwitterWaPoAfrican AmericansAmy CowmanBartlettBergmannBeyond The ArcBill GibbonsBlaxploitationBudgetCounty CommissionDeidre MaloneEducationErnest WithersGermantownGunsJ.BeifussJason SmithKNSL.GodwinLee MeredithLindsay MelvinLorenzen WrightMark NorrisNCAANoura JacksonPaywallRaceRatingsRaycomRunning PonyTennesseeWest Memphis730FoxA.SpearmanAirlinesAlex DoniachAndy MeekAppealTVBealeBen FergusonBlake FontenayC. BaileyC. ConleyC.WolffCable TVCalipariCharter Comm.CommentsDana RebikDeltaDigitalEntercomEyesFred SmithFundingG.GastonGBLTHelmsmanJ.MajorJoe FordKeli RabonKontji AnthonyKris AndersonL.GrahamLocal24LuttrellMBQMunicipal DistrictsNick KenneyO. FlemingOfficerDownOtis JacksonPastnerPaudertSCSDShea FlinnSports56TeensTom PowellV.CalhounVTVanderfordVeazeyWDIAWebZack McMillin2011A. NorrisAIAIDS/HIVAPAaronsonAndy WiseAnna Marie HartmanArrestAsk AndyB. KinneyB.PhillipsBass ProBill OldhamBruce VanWyngardenC.DavisCMIChris JonesChris WallaceCivil RightsD.ConnollyD.DavisDeSotoDerrick RoseDiscriminationDon WadeDrugsDuanna JohnsonE. KingEric BarnesEric SmithErnie FreemanFacebookFox NewsG.ParrishGLBTGary ParrishGeneral SessionsGreg CoyHenri BrooksHowell MarketingIslamJ.ElkingtonJ.GreerJ.RobertsJim JaggersJuniorK.FochtKemp ConradKenneth NeillL. BuserLGBTLacey CrispLegalLeon GriffinLionel HollinsLocal TV LLCMABJMUTV1Melissa SchefflerMemphis InternationalMike MatthewsMillingtonMorgan KeeganNewportNorm BrewerPoliticoQuotesR.LockerRedesignsRetirementRoland KloseScott CacciolaSportsStand Your GroundStanfordStephanie ScurlockSteve MulroyStop ThiefSunshineT.BaileyTaxesTea PartyTechTennesseanThe MedTommy WestTrayvon MartinU.MaddenUSATodayUnrelated But RelatedW.HenryWRECWSJWhalumresidency$5 Cover10pm2012449/11911A. BergeronA.AllenA.I.A.LisleAAUACE Task ForceAFRAFSCMEAM790AYPAbdul MuhammadAbelAereoAirtranAlliedAmy WeirichAndrew ClarkseniorApril FoolsApril ThompsonArlingtonArmstrongAsianAsk VanceAwardsB. WareB.DillB.PeveyB.SandersBBAMemphisBBQBExpressBSMFBTWBad DogBailoutBam JonesBankingBenjamin HooksBernie MintzBeth WarrenBev JohnsonBill ThomasBivingsBlackburnBlockbusterBloombergBluff City BearsBobby DoddBogginsBostonBrian BashemBrooke ThomasBusinessC. McCowanC. StoutC.VenturaCBHSCDCCHeraldCJRCSGCagleCameron HarperCar BombCarol ChumneyCartoonCatholic DioceseCensusChild PornChip WashingtonChris DeanChris HerringtonChristian KirkChristianityChronicle of Higher EducationChuck DalyCitizen JournalismClaudine MarshCogswellCold CashCongressional Black CaucusConservativesContent-SharingContractContractors.Copyright InfringementCordova HighCorey MaclinCounty ClerkCraig BrewerCraveCriminal CourtCrossnoCrowd SourcingD.GriffinDTVDarius MilesDarlene FikeDasmine CatheyDatabasesDave BrownDe La FuentaDebatesDee GriffinDeidra ShoresDemocratsDesegregationDiPrizioDirecTVDish NetworkDiversityDocumentaryDoes It WorkDr. Ivory TaylorDr. KingDrakeZekeDrew SmithDriesE-EditionsE. BarnesE.FreemanE.SengstackeEPETEarningsEasy-WayEconomic DevelopmentEconomistEd CraigEl GraficoElection CommissionElectroluxEli RossElvisEmmyEntrepreneurs.EricsonF. HowardF.W. RobbertsFCCFEMAFESJC. GolfFMFTCFaithFalloutFeatureFirst 48First AmendmentFirst TennesseeFlinn BroadcastingFloodingFlyetFootballForbesFrank MurtaughFrayserFrazierFree PressG.AkersG.FlinnGMMGeneral ServicesGeorge BrownGeorge ZimmermanGilbert ArenasGoing GreenGoodNewsGoogleGraceGreenlineGreg DavisGunDownH.LongHDHailey KingHaitiHandy MapHardinHaslamHaywood Co.Health CareHeisleyHiring FreezeHispanicsHodgesHollinsHollisHolly StarnesHomelessHuffPoIPIavaroniIncentivesIndyStarInfant MortalityInside ScoopInternational PaperInternetJ. StricklandJ.BirchJ.CovingtonJ.DonnalsJ.LarkinsJ.MargettsJ.MonierJ.PepeJ.PetersonJ.PhillipsJ.TurpinJack PeckJames HarveyJames HawkinsJane RobertsJapanJarvis GreerJason CarterJason MilesJeff BiemfohrJesse JacksonJoey SulipeckJohn DalyJohn KoskiJohn MartinJohn VarlasJon AlbrightJonathan DevinJoseph KylesJournal Inc.Journal MediaJournalistsJudge Joe BrownJuvenile CourtK. TallentK.ConradK.HolmesKWAMKWEMKaminKanesKeia JohnsonKen JobeKent WilliamsKevin LoveKingsburyKrogerL. GroggansL. JohnsonL. WatsonL. WiedowerL.KleinmannL.LeeL.MurpheyLATLaPrensaLaboniaLakelandLarry CoxLarry FinchLarry MooreLarry PotterLauren JohnsonLauren LeeLawsuitLe BonheurLee HawkinsLibel TourismLiberalsLil RoundsLinda MooreLindsey BrownLindsey MelvinLisa WaddellLiving ConditionsLotteryLouis GrahamLunawebM. CarpenterM. LollarM. WatsonM.ConleyM.FlemingM.GasolM.PurvisM.RichensM.SheffieldMAARMASMATAMEAMFDMSARCMTSUMagsMain Street JournalManassasManoj JainMarcus HunterMarge ThrasherMark WaldenMark YatesMarreroMartez HendersonMarty AussenbergMarucaMary PowersMaysMcClendonMegachurchesMemphis Chamber. CartoonMemphis In MayMemphis MagMemphis StreetMemphis. Shelby CountyMemphisSportMentally IllMergerMicah GreensteinMichael FingerMichelle DiamentMike MillerMike MooreMillington CableMobileMorgan Jon FoxMr. ChuckMyron LoweryNBANBAFanhouseNBCNCRMNCSNPRNWANYT. USATodayNaomi Van TolNetNewsCheckNews SentinelNewsEdgeNewsomNewspapersNewsweekNexstarNonProfitNorris-ToddO.J. MayoOlive BranchOmar BaddarOnLocationOnlineOpen RecordsOprahOutdoorP.R.PBSPCMagPEWPGAPam McKelvyPandasPettiesPicklerPlanningPohlmannPolitifactPollsPorterPregnancyPress-ScimitarPrice IncreasePrintPrisonsPrivacyPromosPublic RelationsPublic SafetyPulitzerPuppiesPyramidQ. RobinsonR. WisemanR.GuidryR.PetroneRNCRTNDARacismRadio. Rock103Rainbow PUSHRainesReality TVRedbirdsReportingResourcesRestructuringRevisionsRichard MorganRichard RansomRivalsRob EdwardsRobert KingRobert SpenceRobinsonRock 103Rocky Mountain NewsRomeneskoRon WaltersRotary ClubSCDAGSCDPSalariesSalesSales TaxScamSchnucksScott MadausScoutSentencingServiceMasterSexual AbuseSherra WrightSherri SawyerSilver StarSinesSkirtSmithvilleSoapboxSouthavenSouthwestSulipeckSullivanT. CharlierT. HeathT.BatesT.DevereauxT.SmithTDOTTN2010TNNTNTTVTV ListingsTVATammy PhillipsTeacher EvaluationsTeam SitesTeamstersTebowTeen AppealThe Manhood ProjectTiger WoodsTigersSportsTim SpencerTimeTina BirchettTom DeesTrace SharpTravelingTriangle JournalTriangle NoirTribuneTrotzTruehoopUCIUMABJUPSUSBUSPSUndefeatedUnion Ave.University of MemphisValerie CalhounVan TurnerVenus WilliamsVetsVibincWBUYWHATWLMTWLOKWLRMWMC. WREGWMQMWPLXWPTYWUMRWYPLWagesWanda HalbertWeatherWelcomeWells FargoWendell PotterWendy WilsonWiley ReportWilkensWilliam ThomasWolfchaseWomenWorld AIDS DayY.JonesYOMCAYellinYouCastYouTubeZBocbscorporal punishmentenvironmenthyperlocaliPadiPhonelocal mediapoliticsretransmission feesswinefluweedMediaverse®An online publication that covers local mediahttp://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)Blogger3717125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-956342950732484075Fri, 23 Jan 2015 18:19:00 +00002015-01-23T12:28:39.868-06:00ACE Task ForceCACommentaryMediaWREGOn ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gxLU97CULyk/VMJqRA94fwI/AAAAAAAAXC0/TBDW57kbvyM/s1600/ACE.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gxLU97CULyk/VMJqRA94fwI/AAAAAAAAXC0/TBDW57kbvyM/s1600/ACE.png" height="400" width="255" /></a></div>The <a href="http://acecentershelbycounty.com/">ACE Center Task Force of Shelby County</a> released its <a href="http://acecentershelbycounty.com/ace-survey/2014-survey">survey</a>&nbsp;on adverse childhood experiences (ACE) within the county Thursday afternoon. [<a href="http://wreg.com/2015/01/22/study-shows-adverse-stats-in-shelby-county-need-for-parenting-centers/">WREG</a>, <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/local-news/large-proportion-of-shelby-adults-endured-adverse-experiences-as-children-survey-finds_42958945">CA$</a>]<br /><br />The task force notes that the survey is designed to show "a direct link between chronic exposure to traumatic events throughout childhood ... and negative behaviors and health conditions as adults." For example, an adult could be obese because they gained extra weight as a child as a defense mechanism to ward off or protect themselves from the sexual abuse of a parent or another adult. [<a href="http://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(98)00017-8/fulltext">Original Study</a>.]<br /><br />Here are the key findings from the Shelby County survey: <br /><br /><ul><li><i>52 percent of adults in Shelby County report having experienced at least one ACE</i></li><li><i>Individuals reporting four or more ACEs have heightened risk for negative adult social and health outcomes</i></li><li><i>The most prevalent ACEs in Shelby County are substance abuse, emotional abuse, and violence between adults in the home</i></li><li><i>Shelby County has higher prevalence of childhood sexual abuse and violence between adults in the home than the state and the nation</i></li></ul><br />The chart above is taken from the report. The numbers were rounded up but nevertheless, if 48 percent reported ZERO ACES, then isn't that more significant than the 12 percent who reported four or more?<br /><br />Does that mean that the need for <a href="http://acecentershelbycounty.com/parenting-places">Universal Parenting Places</a> in the county isn't that great? Even if one has one ACE, is the child or parent likely to seek help for it?<br />_______________________________________________________<br /><br />The survey was conducted from July 10 to August 11 via telephone.<br /><br />There were 1,506 ADULTS (age 18 and older) who completed the rather <a href="http://acecentershelbycounty.com/wp-content/uploads/PHMC-Formatted-ACE-Survey-8.25.14.pdf">lengthy interview</a>; the majority lived in the city of Memphis (1,003) and the remainder in the county. The population figures listed are estimates, not real people. Though respondents were asked about race and ethnicity, a numerical breakdown of the 1,506 was not provided in the final report.<br /><br />Respondents were asked about adverse childhood experiences that fell into several categories: <b>abuse</b>, physical (were they beaten in the home), emotional (were they cussed at) and sexual (did an older person touch them inappropriately or force them to have sex); <b>household dysfunction</b>, household member substance abuse (did they live with an alcoholic or drug user), mentally-ill household member, violence between adults (was there domestic abuse) and household member in prison; <b>neglect</b>, emotional (did they feel unwanted) and physical (did they skip meals because of lack of money). The survey also covered a vast amount of ground related to experiences in foster care, witnessing violence, sexual behaviors and health conditions. Those were considered under the categories of <b>community adversities.</b><br /><br />The end result is that, based on these adult responses, the city of Memphis is going to invest money and use the survey as a basis to help youth avoid adverse experiences.<br /><br />That's notable but it just seems problematic to do so based on someone's recollection of what may or may not have happened to him/her before the age of 18. Recall bias happens.<br /><br />________________________________________________________<br /><br />Given the sheer expanse of what's considered an ACE, it's not unreasonable for a person to have one or more adverse experiences but it just seems a bit crazy to directly attribute those experiences to whatever present-day condition a person may be enduring without real proof.<br /><br />But I digress.<br /><br />What's the end game here? I'm no fan of predictive surveys and such because they don't take all factors into account.<br /><br />For instance, shouldn't we take into account how the intensity of reporting from so many major news outlets in one city has on the psychological well-being of a child or an adult? If they are seeing the same images over and over, doesn't that have an adverse affect?<br /><br />&nbsp;What are we looking for? What are we trying to do here?<br /><br />Are we trying to create a utopia where no child experiences pain or adversity? Yet, doesn't growing up involve both? Yes, some experience more of each than others. Still, that's life, right? Our adversities mold us into who we are.<br /><br />I suspect that these Universal Parenting Centers will go unused because the survey shows that a significant portion of the respondents don't have problems at all.<br /><br />Or are we trying to use this data to drive home the narrative again that Shelby County, more specifically Memphis, is a dangerous place to live and the so-called science proves it?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2015/01/on-ace-adverse-childhood-experiences.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-2966570903654869238Thu, 25 Sep 2014 15:05:00 +00002014-09-25T11:01:43.838-05:00CACommentaryLayoffsMediaRevisionsOn Being Changed (The Commercial Appeal)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vWQjzRSmy-A/VCQgGqNN0GI/AAAAAAAAW8c/ODqDozi8qG8/s1600/CAChanged.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vWQjzRSmy-A/VCQgGqNN0GI/AAAAAAAAW8c/ODqDozi8qG8/s1600/CAChanged.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div><br />Today's Commercial Appeal headline reads, "We've Changed." What an understatement on the first day of the CA's latest revision, restructuring, reset, revamp -- or "evolution," which is one way that Editor Louis Graham described it in a front-page note for readers. He also used "reconfigured" and "makeover."<br /><br />Indeed, today's edition features no Local section zoning, no stand-alone Business section, a single Editorial page, Sports in "C" section and comics on the front of the Classified section.<br /><br />And yes, fewer people to put it altogether, though Graham didn't remind readers that <a href="http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2014/09/on-commercial-appeal-major-changes-and.html">at least 17 people lost their jobs this week.</a><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />____________________________________<br />Setting aside for a moment the headline's double entendre and how this week's layoffs bathe the CA's obviousness in irony, there still exists a strong communal need for this 174-year-old institution to be successful. Count me among the prayerful, though history has already informed us that <i>these</i>&nbsp;changes are not good things.<br /><br />Yet, here we are again. Blaming the digital world. Fixating on the slow death of print when we certainly would love to redirect our attention to something more positive. The problem is that the Commercial Appeal has to provide that redirection and previous opportunities have failed. We're reminded of this on the cusp of this new opportunity.<br /><br />Perhaps, there were other choices for the CA besides <i>this</i>&nbsp;reconfiguration and layoffs.<br /><br />Other newspapers, facing the same challenges of lower advertising and falling subscriptions, have reduced staffs as well as opted to end their print editions and go digital. Or they have chosen to only print a few days a week -- a nicotine-patch approach for those of us who MUST have a printed edition in our hands. Cutting back on zoned Local sections and so forth save costs but that really does nothing to enhance the quality of the product. <br /><br />It lessens the quality for no other reason than people are getting less of what they originally subscribed. To date, the CA has failed to really show us how the collective experience of the newspaper is better. That's what we desperately want to see.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lcoyG7WLMoQ/VCQqC4BY8FI/AAAAAAAAW8s/8gNEU6OTqUs/s1600/20140925_093424-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lcoyG7WLMoQ/VCQqC4BY8FI/AAAAAAAAW8s/8gNEU6OTqUs/s1600/20140925_093424-1.jpg" height="640" width="353" /></a></div>One could argue that moving the beleaguered Business Section inside the "A" section is a reflection of priorities or values -- much like a one-page editorial section seems to suggest that the newspaper no longer has much to say and neither does its readers.<br /><br />I'm just saying, today's Business pages only have one main local story along with a couple of briefs and we know for sure that the area business community generates far more news than that.<br /><br />But the Biz Desk is extremely short-staffed. It has always been. (Full disclosure: I'm a former CA Biz reporter.) And that stands out when we're wondering about how the CA is going to best utilize its resources going forward.<br /><br />So, even though I know that producing a daily SECTION is taxing primarily because reporters are more focused on day-to-day than being forward-looking and introspective, which is why we primarily get such thinkpieces on Sundays, I'm still not confident enough to think that this reconfiguration will enable the CA to boost its Sunday offerings even more.<br /><br />It's Business and business reporting that helps people connect the dots between the economy and their lives.<br /><br />Ok, I'm done with this altar call. Moving on...<br />________________________________________<br />To reflect back on the layoffs, the occurrence is unsurprising.<br /><br />The CA and the Memphis Newspaper Guild, which represents the majority of CA employees, have had long-protracted contract negotiations and are currently in the midst of one now.<br /><br />For years, the CA has had similar reductions in force, aimed at retooling to meet the challenges of this digital world. So, as one laid-off reporter stated, one would have to be crazy not to be prepared to fired every time the rumors swell and become realized.<br /><br />And yes, losing long-time veterans, like Lela Garlington, Karen Pulfer-Focht, Jeff McAdory, as well as young reporters like Timberly Moore hurt. But one thing that I've learned is that the CA will move on and leave you behind. My hope for them is that they are prepared. According to sources, several are ready.<br /><br />Like everything else, we'll just have to see what's next.http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2014/09/on-being-changed-commercial-appeal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-4530382967048178491Tue, 23 Sep 2014 22:30:00 +00002014-09-25T08:51:53.259-05:00CACommentaryLayoffsLouis GrahamMediaNewspaper GuildOn The Commercial Appeal (Major Changes and Layoffs)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XmWKj0r9yDA/VCHJZ6nrMJI/AAAAAAAAW8E/8VG9Fs5fyeU/s1600/CAlog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XmWKj0r9yDA/VCHJZ6nrMJI/AAAAAAAAW8E/8VG9Fs5fyeU/s1600/CAlog.jpg" height="93" width="400" /></a></div><br />Citing major changes coming to the print edition of The Commercial Appeal, Editor Louis Graham announced to staff Tuesday the paper's latest restructuring moves -- including the layoffs of at least 17 people, of which 13 were in Memphis Newspaper Guild-covered positions,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/memphisguild/permalink/10152747385717068/"> the union confirmed Tuesday afternoon</a>.<br /><br />In a letter to members, Guild President Wayne Risher broke down the layoffs as follows: <br /><blockquote><i>Seven in editorial. (Two photographers, four reporters, one copy editor) <br />Four in customer service. <br />Two in transportation. <br />In addition to those 13, four people outside the Guild bargaining unit lost jobs. That usually means managers, but we're not sure.</i></blockquote>Risher said the company started notifying affected employees this morning. Risher did not confirm the identities of those laid off; however, multiple sources said the laid-off included reporters Lela Garlington, Timberly Moore, Marlon Morgan, Bryan Brasher and photographers Karen Focht and &nbsp;William DeShazer; on the copy desk, Bill Laing was also laid off. Photo Editor Jeff McAdory is also among the laid off, according to sources. <br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />In its <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/business/employment/ca-cuts-budget-trims-staff_84794266">own story on the changes</a>*, the CA quoted Publisher George Cogswell, noting weaker than expected revenues, which raise the question of whether the paywall is actually working: <br /><blockquote><i>"The reality is that the newspaper business continues to change and in reaction to business conditions today we must adapt,” Cogswell told employees. “Our consumers are changing the way they access their news and information and advertisers are choosing different ways to market their products and services. As a company, we must adjust in order to stabilize profitability and secure our long-term commitment to both readers and advertisers.”</i></blockquote>Though the CA's story mentions the upcoming Scripps newspaper spinoff/merger with Journal Media, it also noted that the transaction, which will close next year, has nothing to do with these cuts. But I digress. "Stabilize profitability" suggests that the CA is still profitable but far less secure than it used to be, considering its losses in advertising revenues and subscribers.<br /><br />In a memo to staff, Graham said the changes to the print edition, which start Thursday, are designed to reduce space and save on newsprint and production costs. Here's the e-mail Graham sent to staff, which like the newspaper has shrunken over the years:<br /><blockquote><i>Everyone:<br /><br />There are major changes coming this week in booking of the print edition and, consequently, in staffing. <br /><br />The print product is being reorganized to reduce space and save on newsprint and production costs. You've heard some of these changes, others will be new. Beginning with Thursday’s edition:<br />--We will publish a single edition. DeSoto Appeal is discontinued. So is B section zoning for the Shelby suburbs.<br />--The full Business report moves inside Section A. We will continue to have a standalone section on Sundays. <br />--We will publish a single Editorial page, also inside A, Monday-Saturday. <br />--M will publish on Mondays, Tuesdays (Food) and Sundays only. On the other days, comics will front the Classified section and include puzzles and the TV grid. <br />--Sports moves to Section C. <br /><br />As a result of these changes:<br />-- Peggy McKenzie will head a newly created Suburban department responsible for the coverage of the burbs, including DeSoto. <br />--Responsibility for the three M sections a week shifts to Chris Herrington. <br />--All line editors have or will be relocated to the center of the newsroom to work on a new multi-department desk co-op coordinated by John&nbsp;Stamm. More explanation to come.<br />--Kim Coleman will supervise copy and design.</i></blockquote>(Full disclosure: I am former CA reporter; I used to work on the business and DeSoto desks.)<br /><br />These changes really underscore just how damaged the Joseph Pepe/Chris Peck era left the region's last major daily newspaper. They tried to duplicate the success of DeSoto Appeal as a zoned-edition of the newspaper by further duplicating resources in each of the suburbs. Those excess costs added up and eventually the CA collapsed those Baby Appeals into sectioned zones in the B Section (Metro) but DeSoto, the original Baby Appeal, was the only one left standing -- until now. The DeSoto staffers are moving into 495 Union and that displaced at least one of the reporters who was laid off, according to sources.<br /><br />(It's unclear how this will impact DeSoto Appeal editor Ron Maxey since it appears his duties fall under Assistant Managing Editor Peggy McKenzie, who apparently is moving out of Features. Speaking of management, Kim Coleman, who was art director, takes over John Stamm's supervision of copy and design now that Stamm has evolved once again. I have no idea what that multi-department desk co-op could be.)<br /><br />In any event, there's really no such thing as a "full Business report" and it hasn't been for years. The business desk, as long as I've known it, has always been understaffed, turnover constant in terms of editors and reporters, and thus it has been relatively disregarded at the newspaper. It's now assimilated into the A section, where perhaps many wanted it all along. That's not to say that there won't be business stories throughout the week but this does suggest that Memphis-area business is only worth one day of real exposure -- and that's Sunday, the only money-making day left.<br /><br />But I digress.<br />____________________________________________________<br />The new changes start Thursday. How does this improve the product?<br /><br />That remains to be seen as once again the Commercial Appeal is losing some great institutional knowledge in Lela Garlington (a longtime reporter and one of the best) as well as youth in Timberly Moore and William DeShazer, both of whom were relatively new to the CA. Karen Focht, an award-winning photographer, is also gone. She has had a hand in many of the CA's most notable journalistic successes. As for Marlon Morgan and Bryan Brasher, time simply caught up with both of them since their relative heydays in Sports. Laing reportedly was laid-off a few years ago, then rehired and now he has been let go again.<br /><br />Nevertheless, here's hoping that each of them find their footing elsewhere -- preferably in the city, though that doesn't always happen.<br /><br />More as this story develops.<br /><br /># <a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/NewsBlog/archives/2014/09/23/commercial-appeal-announces-format-changes-17-employees-laid#.VCHKavEtdFg.facebook">The Flyer.</a><br /># <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/blog/2014/09/former-commercial-appeal-columnist-weighs-in-on.html">Memphis Business Journal.</a><br /><br />[* - subscription required.]http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2014/09/on-commercial-appeal-major-changes-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-3505849433568905415Fri, 12 Sep 2014 15:00:00 +00002014-09-12T10:06:31.506-05:00C. PeckCAFlyerL.GrahamMABJMediaScrippsVibincWendi ThomasOn Wendi C. Thomas (The End of A Column?)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oTuzNbYivjU/U46Lg_yKVsI/AAAAAAAAWxI/ql2y-bNtdd8/s1600/WendiThomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oTuzNbYivjU/U46Lg_yKVsI/AAAAAAAAWxI/ql2y-bNtdd8/s1600/WendiThomas.jpg" height="200" width="152" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Photo: Commercial Appeal)</td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><b>UPDATE (9/12):</b> On Thursday, the Memphis Flyer reported that <a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/NewsBlog/archives/2014/09/11/wendi-thomas-resigns-her-position-at-the-commercial-appeal">Wendi C. Thomas resigned from The Commercial Appeal</a>. <br /><b><br /></b>In a phone call, Thomas confirmed she quit but wouldn't go in details, though she added that she is not leaving Memphis.<br /><br />Only Thomas knows what the future holds for her. This is quite different than when she quit the CA to go to Baltimore to be the metro columnist only to quit and come back home and be the metro columnist here.<br /><br />She's no longer the metro columnist. If she went back, she wouldn't be the metro columnist. She would be in a position that, to the obvious, is less than what she was before her reassignment. And as one who has experienced the challenge of reassignment, I can attest that it can lead to some self re-evaluation. But I digress.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a>_______________________________________<br /><br />I wish her well.<br /><br />Looking at the landscape, though, the prospect of Thomas staying in Memphis looks dim if you believe that she can only be a journalist/columnist. As long as I've been in this city, I've never seen an African-American reporter/columnist/editor make a jump from the CA to another print publication or news outlet in the city. (Otis Sanford doesn't really count; he's commentator for WREG and it's not his full-time gig.)<br /><br />Maybe, Thomas can change that. I don't know. Besides WREG, Fox13 is the only station that uses commentators. Do those commentators even get paid? But I digress.<br /><br />It's certainly going to be interesting to see what is ahead for Thomas.<br /><br /><b>POSTSCRIPT (6/9):</b>&nbsp;Sunday passed. No Wendi C. Thomas column. In hindsight, perhaps, it was fitting.<br /><br />The Commercial Appeal took away her "metro columnist" title on <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/staff/wendi-thomas/">June 3</a> but gave her the chance to write a final column. She opted not to do it.<br /><br />Her choice. Her terms. But maybe, according to sources, that's been the problem all along.<br />____________________________________<br /><br />She wasn't <a href="http://www.vibincblog.com/?p=13247/">muzzled</a>, though losing a column has that effect.&nbsp;Yet, think about it. If the CA didn't like her views, she would've been "reassigned" years ago.<br /><br />Remember <i>The Baltimore Sun</i>? It was 2006; Thomas bolted for Baltimore to be the metro columnist after an argument about her column at the CA.<br /><br />When the Commercial Appeal was all about the suburban editions, it was reported that some editions didn't want her column on their section fronts. Ultimately, she left. Then, she returned -- with a greater salary and an expectation to run her column two to three times a week.<br /><br />Yet, according to sources, she was hardly ever in the newsroom. How long ago did she actually produce that many columns a week? She had freedom under the former executive editor Chris Peck and reportedly resisted efforts to change that.<br /><br />So, after Peck was replaced, it's just interesting that Thomas agreed to do a <a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/NewsBlog/archives/2013/06/06/wheres-wendi-theres-lots-to-write-about-in-memphis-why-is-commercial-appeal-columnist-wendi-thomas-mia">temporary editing assignment</a>.<br /><b><br /></b> And now, she's been reassigned.<br />_____________________________________________<br /><br />Regardless of the circumstance, Thomas was a good columnist. She was, and still is, an important figure in the Memphis narrative.<br /><br />It will be intriguing to see what happens next as she focuses on crime and justice in Memphis.<br /><b><br /></b> <b>ON AN UNRELATED, BUT RELATED, NOTE</b>, even though there doesn't seem to be much of a public outcry about the reassignment (a few blog posts but nothing on local TV), The Memphis Association of Black Journalists issued a statement regarding Thomas: <br /><blockquote><i>On June 3, 2014, Louis Graham, editor of The Memphis Commercial Appeal, officially announced the reassignment of Wendi C. Thomas from metro columnist to a team leader of a new digital initiative focused on crime and justice. Ten years ago, Thomas, a MABJ member, was the first African-American woman hired as a metro columnist at the newspaper; in the years since, she has distinguished herself as an award-winning columnist and her voice became an institution for speaking truth to power. The absence of her column will create a void, one no less filled by the promise that her essential writing will continue in her new role. That void reminds us that there are no other voices like Thomas’ at the city’s largest daily newspaper, where African Americans comprise an estimated 16.4 percent of the newsroom.<br /><br />In fact, nationally, a metro columnist, who is an African-American woman, remains a rare find. The Memphis Association of Black Journalists strongly encourages the newspaper, as it reorganizes for the digital age, not to abandon what it started when it hired a pioneering Thomas years ago and that is to find a voice as diverse, if not more, to speak truth to power and shine light on injustice so we can all see better. Surely, on that need, we share common ground.</i></blockquote>[Full Disclosure: I am president of MABJ.]<br /><br /><b>UPDATE (6/6):</b> The fledgling Facebook campaign to get Thomas reinstated as metro columnist began and disappeared Thursday.<br /><br />That campaign seemed anonymous and thus destined to fail, especially because of suspicions about who created it. (There's no evidence Thomas played a role.) Nevertheless, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BringBackMetroColumn">a new and less anonymous campaign</a> has been created by activist Kenya Bradshaw to bring back the metro column.<br /><br /><b></b> <b>UPDATE (6/5):</b> A fledgling campaign to get Thomas reinstated as metro columnist has begun <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReinstateWendi">on Facebook</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/NewsBlog/archives/2014/06/04/commercial-appeal-metro-columnist-wendi-thomas-has-been-reassigned">*The Flyer</a>.<br /><br /><b>UPDATE (6/4)</b>: <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2014/jun/03/editors-note-columnist-wendi-c-thomas-taking-new-a/?CID=happeningnow">CA Editor Louis Graham's note</a> on Wendi C. Thomas's reassignment didn't make it into the print edition. Couple that with the disabling of comments on said note (which you have to hunt for since it's already been archived online), the newspaper is seemingly make it clear that the reassignment isn't up for public debate. That's to say that the CA appears so serious about boosting its online and mobile offerings that not even the newspaper's first African-American female columnist can hold on to her job title and important communal role.<br /><br />As <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mediaverse.memphis/posts/10203918045419915">Mediaverse reported</a> yesterday, there's some internal discontent with the move but Thomas may have little recourse. She's a management employee and not a member of the Newspaper Guild, the bargaining unit, which has historically challenged such moves by management.<br /><br /><b>(ORIGINAL POST 6/3)</b>: The Commercial Appeal confirmed Tuesday that Wendi C. Thomas will no longer be a columnist -- at least not in the same manner that she has been for the last 10 years.<br /><br />Thomas will write her final column as the CA's first African-American female metro columnist on Sunday. Then she'll transition to be an editor on the Metro Desk and will eventually lead a new "team" focusing on crime and justice as the CA reorganizes its reporters and resources to create more digital products for readers.<br /><br />When reached for comment, Thomas deferred to her editors. Here's the <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2014/jun/03/editors-note-columnist-wendi-c-thomas-taking-new-a/?CID=happeningnow" target="_blank">editor's note from Editor Louis Graham</a>*:<br /><blockquote><i>After 10 years as The Commercial Appeal’s Metro columnist, Wendi C. Thomas is taking a new assignment. As part of The CA’s ongoing reorganization focused on its digital platforms, Thomas has been named to lead expanded coverage of crime and justice in the Memphis area.<br /><br />Over the past year the newspaper has reorganized around topics of importance to readers – including college and professional sports, entertainment and investigative – and has expanded coverage of other topics, including crime and justice and government and politics. Thomas’ reassignment is part of the continuing realignment of resources to support significantly increased offerings to readers online and on mobile devices. She will lead a three-member team and continue to write as part of the new assignment.<br /><br />“As our first Metro columnist (at least in my memory), Wendi plowed a lot of new ground,” Editor Louis Graham told the staff today. “My expectation is she’ll do the same with the ‘Safe in Memphis’ team. She’s creative, understands and uses digital to great advantage, and is a superb editor.”</i></blockquote>The key is that Thomas will continue to write as part of the new assignment.<br /><br />If past "<a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/may/31/safe-in-memphis-helping-seniors-be-safer/" target="_blank">Safe In Memphis</a>"* stories by David Waters are any indication, then the writing will be similar to a column, though Thomas won't have the latitude of a metro columnist.<br /><br />In any event, Scripps, the parent company of The Commercial Appeal, is investing heavily in products for mobile and online at all of its newspapers. Hence, the realignment of resources.http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2014/06/on-wendi-c-thomas-end-of-column.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-2837267332018801288Thu, 31 Jul 2014 02:50:00 +00002014-08-01T00:09:43.726-05:00CACommentaryJournal MediaMediaMemphisMergerScrippsOn Rock Bottom (Scripps Shedding Its Newspapers)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K1l89337HMU/U9mduqng1FI/AAAAAAAAW30/9GwvU6Cjzjk/s1600/scripps-neg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K1l89337HMU/U9mduqng1FI/AAAAAAAAW30/9GwvU6Cjzjk/s1600/scripps-neg.png" height="93" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>UPDATE: </b>In case you missed it, here's a <a href="http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9MjQ1MTM3fENoaWxkSUQ9LTF8VHlwZT0z&amp;t=1">link to the Scripps presentation</a> from this morning. Scripps' stock <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/ssp">closed up 8.45 percent</a> to $21.68 a share; Journal Communications also <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/jrn">saw a rise</a>, increasing 24.20 percent to close at $10.88. By all accounts, analysts love the deal, where most of the benefit lies on the TV side.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />Meanwhile, Urban Milwaukee offers some <a href="http://urbanmilwaukee.com/2014/07/31/murphys-law-how-buyout-could-hurt-the-journal-sentinel/">views on the merger or "buyout"</a> as its columnist calls it. Two excerpts:<br /><blockquote><i>3.The Newspapers Are Far Less Important. Across the globe, newspapers are losing circulation for print editions where they can charge more money for ads, and gaining online readers, where ads make far less revenue. This is equally true for the Journal Sentinel, whose declining revenue is a drag on Journal Communications. The company’s most recent annual report shows broadcasting earned $243 millon in revenue with $118 million in expenses while publishing earned $154 million in revenue with $100 million in expenses. Newspapers are not where the money is, which is why Scripps is asking for a smaller share of the newly formed newspaper company.<br /><br />4. The Journal Sentinel Will Suffer Further Decline. The newspaper has already suffered buyout after buyout of staff, as I’ve reported , but insiders at the newspaper predict more to come. It’s inevitable, when mergers occur, as “redundancies” are eliminated and “efficiencies” are sought. The newspaper, despite the cuts, has done some remarkable investigative reporting, winning several Pulitzers in recent years. This week’s series on the Great Lakes by Dan Egan is a wonderful example of the newspaper at its best.</i></blockquote><b>...</b><br /><blockquote><i>6.The Memphis Commercial Appeal may provide a model. It’s the one big city newspaper in the Scripps chain and it gets mixed grades from Bruce VanWyngarden, editor of the alternative weekly Memphis Flyer. As he puts it, the newspaper “had a long stretch with former editor Chris Peck (who Scripps brought in from Spokane) where the paper, in my opinion, suffered both from a lack of hard-reporting instincts from the top and crushing pressure from Scripps to increase/maintain profitability. This resulted in multiple purges of newsroom personnel, low morale, etc…”<br /><br />‘The new editor, Louis Graham,” VanWyngarden continues, “is a former reporter, a solid guy, and from what I understand, liked and respected in the newsroom. I’ve seen a noticeable uptick in the quality of the journalism over there in recent months.” On balance, that’s more reason to worry about what might happen to the JS.</i></blockquote>The primary takeaway: All isn't great with Journal Communications or the Journal Sentinel. Still, while one might suspect synergies, I'm not so sure that the cuts will be deep considering that all of the papers involved have experienced serious cuts already and there's no real overlap.<br /><br /><b>ON ANOTHER NOTE</b>: In the Scripps presentation, it's noted that the Commercial Appeal only reaches 56 percent of adults in its market. That's one of the lowest among Scripps papers. Not good.<br /><br />*David Waters: <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/columnists/david-waters/david-waters-the-memphis-newspapers-new-home-office-in-milwaukee_73897221">Yawn</a>.<br />*CA finally has a <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/local-news/scripps-deal-creates-newsfocused-owner-for-commercial-appeal_26695432">staff produced story</a>&nbsp;-- and it notes that the Teen Appeal, the high school paper funded by Scripps Howard Foundation, could be a merger casualty.<br /><b><br /></b> <b>UPDATE (7/31)</b>: Commercial Appeal President and CEO George Cogswell <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/ew-scripps-co-ssp-shedding-newspaper-assets-to-form-new-company-with-journal">is optimistic</a>: <br /><blockquote><i>“I am very excited that we are partnering with one of the great media companies and multi-Pulitzer Prize winning newspapers in the United States, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,” he said. “Moving forward, as a pure-play, print/digital newspaper company, Scripps has positioned us to be in a very enviable position within our industry. Simply put … this is a great move for The Commercial Appeal and the City of Memphis.”</i></blockquote>So, many ways to decipher this. Yes, the Journal-Sentinel is a great newspaper (Full disclosure: I once worked there in the early 90s) but it, too, has struggled mightily.<br /><br />And as a pure-play print/digital company with no debt and no pension obligations (Scripps will maintain that for newspaper employees), the new company, Milwaukee-based Journal Media, should be in a great position -- to be sold.<br /><br />My apologies, my optimism is limited.<br />_______________________________<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7E175W-kOH4/U9ofPexCKqI/AAAAAAAAW4U/D_ETo2ah1x8/s1600/scrippsrev2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7E175W-kOH4/U9ofPexCKqI/AAAAAAAAW4U/D_ETo2ah1x8/s1600/scrippsrev2.png" height="184" width="200" /></a>To be fully optimistic, one would have to believe that Scripps TV stations were suffocating its newspapers and, now that they will soon be apart, print/digital newspapers can breathe and thrive again.<br /><br />That's just print hubris.<br /><br />If you've paid attention since 1995, when HGTV launched, you can see how Scripps has steadily de-emphasized print in the larger story of the company. The 2008 spin-off of the cable networks was a way to shed traditional media properties, broadcast and print.<br /><br />The next year, Scripps sold the Rocky Mountain News, ending its last joint operating agreement, which was another sign of the shriveling newspaper business. In recent years, TV is what has helped Scripps; by 2011/12, the time of the McGraw-Hill purchase, TV, not print, was responsible for most of Scripps' profit.<br /><br />A glass-half-full argument could be that Scripps newspapers have been given the ability to downsize, fix what is ailing them and create new digital products. Sure.<br /><br />But the flipside of that is the skepticism about whether those moves were, and still are, enough to strengthen newspapers. Given the slow pace of digital subscriptions via paywalls and lower print advertising, I'm far from convinced that the newspaper braintrust has figured out the future.<br /><br />Nevertheless, next year, we'll see if the newspapers can stand without crutches or not. There is little choice or alternatives, except to be sold (and hopefully, in some cases, not shuttered.)<br />__________________________________<br />The quick reaction from some CA employees is wait-and-see, though there is some feeling of doom.<br /><br />In other words, it's business as usual.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qmB3qFI41j4" width="460"></iframe><br /><br />_________________________________<br /><b>ORIGINAL POST (7/30)</b>: Some time next year, The Memphis Commercial Appeal will be a Scripps-owned newspaper only in spirit. That's because <a href="http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=98686&amp;p=irol-newsArticle&amp;ID=1953345&amp;highlight=">Scripps, founded as a newspaper chain in 1878, has agreed to merge</a> with Journal Communications and collectively spin-off their newspapers into a separate publicly-traded company.<br /><br />When the merger is done, the Scripps name will only be on television stations, radio and digital properties -- in other words, the profitable stuff. The Commercial Appeal and other money-losing newspapers will be in the Journal Media Group -- or as I'll refer to the company as "Rock Bottom."<br />________________________________________________<br />Let's start with the good news -- and there is good news being at the Rock Bottom: there's no place else to go but up.<br /><br />An excerpt from the <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/business/news31-b99321641z1-269303021.html">Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel</a>: <br /><blockquote><i>In addition to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Journal Media will include Scripps newspapers, including the Memphis Commercial Appeal, community publications and digital offerings. In all, the new company will operate 15 newspapers in 14 markets.<br /><br />The new company will have around 3,600 employees with expected annual revenue of some $500 million.<br /><br />Journal Media will get a fresh financial start in an uncertain media world. The company's balance sheet will have $10 million in cash and no debt, while Scripps keeps substantially all of the qualified pension obligations.<br /><br />Timothy E. Stautberg, who oversees Scripps newspapers, will become CEO of Journal Media.<br /><br />"I look forward to what we can build, leveraging the strengths of what we have today," Stautberg said.</i></blockquote>(I'll ignore the fact that, for now, the CA didn't have <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/ew-scripps-co-ssp-shedding-newspaper-assets-to-form-new-company-with-journal">its own story</a>, which is understandable considering that Journal Media will be headquartered in Milwaukee. But I'm getting to the bad news too soon.)<br /><br />The good news is that current Scripps employees keep their pensions in tact, though job security is always a worry. However, Journal Media will have no debt, which is the best news running because the company can focus its cash on growth.<br /><br />Then again, we're talking about newspapers.<br /><br />So, to me, Journal Media in an excellent position to be acquired. And it'll happen because an acquisition (buying or being sold) is the fastest way to grow any business.<br /><br />How do you think Scripps grew its broadcast portfolio? It acquired companies.<br />_____________________________________________________<br /><br />And that leads us to the bad news.<br /><br />As noted above, the new company will have an expected annual revenue of about $500 million. Last year, Scripps newspapers alone generated nearly $400 million in revenue. Journal Communications is only bringing one major newspaper to the table, the Journal-Sentinel (Circulation: 318,711 on Sunday and 194,321 daily). [<a href="http://nasdaqomx.mobular.net/nasdaqomx/7/3062/4854/document_0/JRN_2013_Annual-Report.pdf">Annual report</a>]<br /><br />That raises questions: if the Appeal is no longer the flagship, how much will Journal Media invest in it? How long will Memphis have to wait for upgrades?<br /><br />Or how much smaller will the Appeal get?<br /><br />I don't see a future where Journal Media -- unless it figures out how to really make money in digital products -- starts buying up other newspapers.<br /><br />So, this is where we are. Rock bottom.<br /><br />The Commercial Appeal was acquired by Scripps in 1936; so many years of being a cash cow, the Memphis market helped Scripps grow into being a cable TV network (spun-off in 2008) and buy up even more TV stations (McGraw-Hill in 2011).<br /><br />What's left today? A shriveled product -- the CA has fewer than 400 employees and its print circulation has dropped off a cliff--that Scripps will soon enough leave behind for good.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3jC4l8udPys/U9mtKxZd04I/AAAAAAAAW4E/HvMQTAZWlFA/s1600/Scrippscirc2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3jC4l8udPys/U9mtKxZd04I/AAAAAAAAW4E/HvMQTAZWlFA/s1600/Scrippscirc2013.png" height="314" width="640" /></a></div>(<a href="file:///C:/Users/Mediaverse2011/Downloads/2013%20SSP%20Annual%20Report%20-%20web%20ready.pdf">Sunday circ. is 124,000</a> but that's down as well.)<br /><br />If you didn't see the writing on the wall before, surely you see it now.<br />__________________<br />Wayne Risher, president of the Memphis Newspaper Guild, which represents reporters among others at the CA, and is currently in contract negotiations, finds reasons to be optimistic: <br /><blockquote><i>"With 400 something employees, The Commercial Appeal would account for about one ninth of the new newspaper company's personnel. We can only hope that the new company will be successful and share the rewards of that success with the employees. I feel positive about it, though I know next to nothing about the labor stance of the Milwaukee Journal ownership. However, the Journal is a strong outpost of the Newspaper Guild, and I'd like to think that will be a positive influence on the new company's approach to labor."</i></blockquote><br />The Journal-Sentinel's Guild contract expires at the <a href="http://www.milwaukeenewsguild.org/2012/08/contract-ratified-46-23/">end of this year</a>.<br /><br />*Former CA Managing Editor Otis Sanford feels <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Olamarsanford/posts/10152586214121718">this could be good</a>.http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2014/07/on-rock-bottom-scripps-shedding-its.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-7914527525706537132Sun, 13 Jul 2014 16:58:00 +00002014-07-13T11:58:23.749-05:00CACommentaryFox13Local24MDNMediaMemphisMFDMPDPublic SafetyWREGOn Blue Flu/Red Rash (Opportunity Lost)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1KgEDPGZxG0/U8KcRWc6xgI/AAAAAAAAW1w/lk4sgq2D6uM/s1600/mfpd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1KgEDPGZxG0/U8KcRWc6xgI/AAAAAAAAW1w/lk4sgq2D6uM/s1600/mfpd.jpg" height="318" width="400" /></a></div><br />In the latest count, the number of Memphis Police and Memphis Fire employees, who have called in sick, is reportedly at 341 for MPD and 80 for MFD -- a falling number for the former and increased number for the latter. [<a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2014/jul/12/as-blue-flu-wanes-red-rash-grows-worrying-city/">CA</a>, <a href="http://wreg.com/2014/07/12/80-firefighters-call-in-sick-saturday/">WREG</a>, <a href="http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/26002584/blue-flu-weakens-red-rash-strengthens">WMC</a>, <a href="http://www.localmemphis.com/story/d/story/red-rash-numbers-increase-as-blue-flu-declines/14644/LV02C3_LvUyKL5fojtptZw">Local</a>, <a href="http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/26004817/police-officers-returning-to-work-more-firefighters-calling-out-sick">Fox13</a>, <a href="http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2014/jul/11/wharton-focus-is-to-get-officers-back-to-work/">MDN</a>.]<br /><br />I'm not really concerned with whether the sick calls are genuine or an informal protest. Local media seems to be in consensus that sick calls are in protest and coverage has focused on the alleged public safety impact.<br /><br />Yet, let's talk about opportunity.<br />__________________________________________________<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJ8Y8qF7eNU/U8KsInFXkcI/AAAAAAAAW2A/_miYddjUV58/s1600/Divisions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJ8Y8qF7eNU/U8KsInFXkcI/AAAAAAAAW2A/_miYddjUV58/s1600/Divisions.jpg" height="289" width="320" /></a></div>Public safety is a priority in Memphis.<br /><br />Combined, police and fire services comprise 67 percent of the city's Fiscal 2015 budget or $397.7 million of city expenditures.<br /><br />We can wax forever on why that is -- the belief that poverty creates crime, polls that show that Memphis is one of the nation's unsafe cities, FBI crime rate statistics in which the math itself is against us, etc., etc.<br /><br />The bottom line is that, during this period of sickness, city leaders have gone out of their way to ensure the public that safety hasn't been compromised.<br /><br />And if public safety hasn't been compromised, then isn't that a light bulb moment?<br />___________________________________________________<br /><br />If there was no noticeable impact on crime, when the city's police had a quarter of its workforce out on sick leave, then isn't that a sign that perhaps the city doesn't need that many police officers on the street?<br /><br />That would seem to present an opportunity to heed the call in&nbsp;<a href="http://www.memphistn.gov/Portals/0/pdf_forms/Memphis_Multi-Year_Strategic_Fiscal_Plan_FINAL_DRAFT_January_2014.pdf">the PFM report</a>, which outlines a multi-year fiscal strategy for the city, to find ways to make public safety more efficient and find alternative means for policing among other things.<br /><br />This is not a call to abandon public safety.<br /><br />But if our crime rate is lower, then isn't the fiscally-responsible response, one that takes this opportunity to reallocate those resources to other areas that could enhance the public's quality of life? <br /><br />And therein lies the opportunity lost because the actual response has been the opposite.<br /><br />The response has been to fold to paranoia and fear, add more to the police and fire budgets, ensuring that there is more to add more police officers on the streets and more.<br /><br />Given the impact on the budget, that seems unsustainable.<br /><br /><i>"Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are."</i><br /><br />We find ourselves, not resilient, not optimistic, but simply afraid.http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2014/07/on-blue-flured-rash-opportunity-lost.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-6252931448349970678Fri, 11 Jul 2014 21:15:00 +00002014-07-11T16:15:17.957-05:00CACommentaryHiring FreezeKNSMediaNewspaper GuildScrippsOn Scripps (The Hiring Freeze)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sl_FxdCa6fc/U8BPlvto-MI/AAAAAAAAW1Q/8TvmNifQbYM/s1600/scripps-neg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sl_FxdCa6fc/U8BPlvto-MI/AAAAAAAAW1Q/8TvmNifQbYM/s1600/scripps-neg.png" height="93" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />As it stands to today, Memphis Publishing Co. (i.e. The Memphis Commercial Appeal) has five job openings, including one for an investigative reporter. However, sources have confirmed that Scripps Co. has implemented a hiring freeze.<br /><br />It's unclear when the freeze began, or how long it will last or if it only impacts Scripps newspapers (The Knoxville News-Sentinel is also Scripps-owned). However, sources confirm that freezes are in place at the newspapers in Memphis and Knoxville.<br /><br />Mediaverse® has reached out to Scripps for comment; no response has received at the time of this posting.<br /><br />Last month, Scripps reported a <a href="http://www.scripps.com/press/details?id=1345">one percent drop</a> in revenues for its newspaper division for the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same quarter a year ago. Division expenses fell 3.9 percent, which was partly attributable to lower employment levels. Overall, the segment profit increased $2.6 million in that period.<br /><br />In Memphis, the CA -- whose total employment has whittled down to about 400 people in the last few years -- has been in contract negotiations with its largest union, The Memphis Newspaper Guild, for about a year. According to union updates, the CA isn't offering wage increases; <a href="http://memphisnewspaperguild.org/index.cfm?action=article&amp;articleID=e639c616-26fc-4579-88de-6de26b598eb0">an excerpt</a>: <br /><blockquote><i>The guild proposes 3 percent wage increases each year of a three-year contract and a 3 percent increase in the wage scales. The company proposed no raises when talks opened last June. The scales, by the way, haven't changed in a decade. Our last raises in May 2012 were reserved for employees who were already topped out on the pay scale.</i></blockquote>It <a href="http://memphisnewspaperguild.org/index.cfm?action=article&amp;articleID=f88ffa28-ccc2-4b87-82b6-226f597313c8">doesn't appear that an agreement</a> is likely anytime soon.<br /><br />More as this story develops.<br /><br />http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2014/07/on-scripps-hiring-freeze.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-6982180713156278672Sat, 28 Jun 2014 14:40:00 +00002014-06-28T09:46:01.119-05:00CACommentaryCounty CommissionHenri BrooksMediaShelby CountyWMCWREGOn Being Removed (Former? Commissioner Henri Brooks)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ePknvba666Q/U67S7bpW00I/AAAAAAAAWzw/ToE7M75l3mU/s1600/brookssue1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ePknvba666Q/U67S7bpW00I/AAAAAAAAWzw/ToE7M75l3mU/s1600/brookssue1.jpg" height="344" width="640" /></a></div><br />Attorneys representing Henri Brooks are asking the Shelby County Chancery Court to reinstate her as the District 2 commissioner. [Read <a href="http://ftpcontent4.worldnow.com/wmctv/Henri%20Brooks%20filing.pdf?utm_content=bufferf8436&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=facebook.com&amp;utm_campaign=buffer">the filing</a>.]<br /><br />A <a href="https://localtvwreg.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/2brooks-findings.pdf">Shelby County Attorney's Office investigation</a> found that Brooks no longer lived at the residence listed with Shelby County Human Resources Department and, because evidence indicated that her actual residence might be elsewhere (Cordova was mentioned), the investigation concluded that she violated the County Charter's residency requirement. That report, in and of itself, didn't cause Brooks' seat to be vacated because it contains no language to that effect. However, County Attorney Marcy Ingram has made it clear that state law declares an office vacated when an official ceases to be a resident of the district in which they were elected. [<a href="http://web.lexisnexis.com/research/xlink?app=00075&amp;view=full&amp;interface=1&amp;docinfo=off&amp;searchtype=get&amp;search=Tenn.+Code+Ann.+%A7+8-48-101">State law</a>.]<br /><br />To that end, this week, steps were taken to formally declare her seat vacate and to appoint someone to serve the remainder of her term. The filing in Chancery Court seeks to stop that.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />____________________________________________<br /><br />Brooks' attorneys are arguing that the county charter includes no formal (read: written, spelled out) process for removal, that the charter doesn't allow the county to remove an incumbent before his/her term ends and that, in essence, a judge--not a county attorney "opinion" --should decide whether a vacancy has occurred. A Commercial Appeal editorial seems to side with Brooks' attorneys on one point, <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2014/jun/28/editorial-county-charter-should-say-specifically/">an excerpt</a>:<br /><blockquote><i>It is serious business to remove an elected official from his or her seat. Because of that, a removal process should be specifically spelled out in the charter, from who certifies that the investigation was thorough to what the commission can or can’t do to prevent commissioners who forfeit their seats from attending meetings and voting. Can the chairman, for example, ask a deputy to remove the commissioner?</i></blockquote>_____________________________________________<br /><br />The Charter language is vague but it's plain and self-executing.<br /><br />Let's assume, for instance, that Brooks is a Shelby County employee (well, she is...or was) and that the county fired her because it was determined that she no longer lived in the county. There is case law for that scenario,&nbsp;<i><a href="http://caselaw.findlaw.com/tn-court-of-appeals/1091105.html">Tennessee v. John R. Thompkins</a>.</i>&nbsp;In that 2007 case, the Tennessee Court of Appeals ruled against Thompkins, a Shelby County firefighter who was fighting against his termination resulting from a violation of the county's residency requirement. Thompkins, too, argued that the charter language was vague but the Appeals Court disagreed, supporting the very language at the basis of the vacancy declaration in District 2. An excerpt from that case: <br /><blockquote><i>Subsections (A) and (B) contain self-executing language that severs the principle/agent relationship upon occurrence of the stated violation, whereas subsection (C) requires some action on the part of the county before the agency is terminated. The particular circumstances addressed in the first two subsections justify this difference because they involve matters implicating the public welfare. For example, Subsection (B) reflects the need to sever the agency relationship with a disbarred attorney practicing law on behalf of the county and representing its legal interests, while Subsection (A) evinces the need to prevent “district shopping” in bids for elected office and to insure county officials will faithfully serve the districts that elect them to office. These examples support the resort to self-executing language. Subsection (C), on the other hand, applies broadly to all county employees who, despite moving outside the county, remain its agents until the county takes action to terminate them. Again, we believe the phrase “condition of employment” clearly requires the discharge of employees in violation of the residency requirement. This interpretation does not conflict with the meaning of subsections (A) and (B). The entirety of Section 5.10 addresses violations that necessarily result in the termination of employment; however, subsections (A) and (B) employ self-executing language and an expedited method of severing the agency relationship due to the heightened public interest implicated by those violations.</i></blockquote>Just in case you got lost, the County has a right to immediately sever a relationship (or in this case, declare a vacancy) once the stated violation occurred (i.e. it became clear that Brooks no longer resided where she claimed she did and evidence showed that she may be residing outside of her district) because doing so protects the public welfare.<br /><br />Indeed, you wouldn't want a disbarred county attorney acting on behalf of the county, would you? You wouldn't want to wait until a judge justifies the severing while allowing said attorney to continue to act on behalf of the county.<br /><br />The same logic applies to elected officials.<br /><br />The public welfare is at risk when a public official--who has provided zero evidence to prove that she still lives in her district--is allowed to remain and vote on matters affecting the entire county. That risk alone requires no judicial ruling.<br />_____________________________________________<br /><br />I'm just sayin, either she lives in the District or she doesn't.<br /><br />That's plain. That's self-executing.<br /><br />And if she moved out of the district, it's plain and self-executing that she "immediately" forfeited her office. It's not the County removing her. She removed herself.<br /><br />Brooks had an opportunity to comply with the investigation and prove her residence and, and if she did, we wouldn't be here.<br /><br />Yet she declined, leaving available public records to certify her residency. Those records could not.<br /><br />Brooks could have also simply updated the residency forms in Shelby County HR with a new address. <br /><br />She did not.<br /><br />And even in the Chancery Court filing, she does not stipulate that she lives in her district -- though she likely wasn't required to state that, the absence remains notable.http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2014/06/on-being-removed-former-commissioner.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-3708457220747798323Mon, 02 Jun 2014 06:45:00 +00002014-06-02T15:24:44.577-05:00CACohenCommentaryDemocratsMediaMemphisNinth DistrictRaceWilkensOn The Race Card (Again)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Am2Y5vMSSGI/U4wCke_nDrI/AAAAAAAAWw0/Z8_a1xj50L0/s1600/twophotos.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Am2Y5vMSSGI/U4wCke_nDrI/AAAAAAAAWw0/Z8_a1xj50L0/s1600/twophotos.png" height="284" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>UPDATE</b>: The Memphis Daily News provides definitive proof of <a href="http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2014/jun/3/cohen-touts-ability-to-represent-district/" target="_blank">the Cohen "race card" strategy</a>. An excerpt: <br /><blockquote><i>“Every morning I get up and I look forward to Aug. 8 because I know I’m going to see some stuff in the next two months that I’ve probably never seen,” Cohen told supporters at the opening of his East Memphis campaign headquarters Saturday, May 31. “But I’m prepared for it.”<br /><br />Meanwhile, former Shelby County Schools board member Kenneth Whalum Jr., in introducing Cohen, said that the challenge of Cohen is about a Jew representing a predominantly black congressional district.<br /><br />“There is an 800-pound gorilla in the room and this gorilla will growl continually, particularly among African-Americans in Memphis, Tenn. You hear this red herring about the fact that a Jew cannot effectively represent the black community in the 9th district,” Whalum said. “I want to get it on the table right now.”</i></blockquote>The article goes on to note that Wilkens has not mentioned Cohen's race or religion but the Cohen campaign feels the need to be proactive about any racial messaging -- by mentioning it themselves.<br /><br /><b>ON ANOTHER NOTE</b>, the Daily News article ends up being more about Whalum than Cohen... so there's that as well.<br /><br /><ul><li>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2014/06/02/cohen-gets-goin-at-headquarters-opening" target="_blank">The Flyer</a></li></ul><br /><a name='more'></a><b>ORIGINAL POST (6/2)</b>: Two Commercial Appeal photos. Each features a political candidate interacting with constituents. Yet <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2014/may/30/friday-politics-fix-examining-another-challenge/?partner=popular" target="_blank">the accompanying article*&nbsp;</a>examines on how one might use race to win the Democratic primary in the Ninth Congressional District. Of course, the black candidate.<br /><br /><br />An excerpt, quoting Ricky Wilkins and Congressman Steve Cohen respectively:<br /><blockquote><i>Wilkins, who is black, rejects the idea. He’s hoping voters elect him on merits, and nothing else.<br /><br />“You’ve not one time heard me talk about race in this campaign,” he said. “Not one time.”<br /><br />Cohen rejects it, too, pointing to what he says is a strong track record and the electoral success that has continued to send him back to Washington.<br /><br />“The people, African-American people in Memphis, they don’t buy it,” Cohen said. “They want somebody who works for them, who works for them honestly.”</i></blockquote>The issue of race -- specifically whether a black candidate will, you know, mention that he/she is black or seek to be the lone speck of pepper in Tennessee's congressional delegation -- has arisen in every election cycle since 2006 -- in a pejorative context, for the most part.<br /><br />In a predominantly black district, it is a negative for a candidate to be black now that the district is represented by a white Congressman, since 2006, a sign of post-racial America--or even better, a sign that black people can do more than vote based on skin color (cause conventional wisdum is that's the limit of our electoral savvy), that anything else would be considered a rollback of progress, the end of enlightenment. And to further compound what's taking place, consider that, as long as Cohen is in office, every candidate that he faces in a Democratic primary (or general election) will likely be black -- because that's the kind of candidate that the Ninth District was designed to produce.<br /><br />So to recap, it's OK for Tennessee congressional delegation to be all white -- and whenever someone challenges it they're playing the race card.<br /><br />In essence, THAT response to the challenge is the race card. It's Cohen's strategy since 2006.<br />________________________________________________________<br /><br />White candidates are the default acceptable candidates. Is that it?<br /><br />I've yet to see an article about white candidates focus on whether white people are voting for them because of their race. I've yet to see an article that notes how Cohen plays the race card. It's no coincidence that, of the quotes in the above excerpt, that Cohen is the only candidate to specifically mentions race.<br /><br />For that matter, the use of "they" is interesting as if his constituents aren't like him, which is interesting since he's supposed to be post-racial.<br /><br />Yet, his incumbency is based on being the other, not "our." <br /><br /><b>ON AN UNRELATED, BUT RELATED, NOTE:</b> Here's one thing that won't change: it's unlikely that Cohen will debate Wilkens. He knows what "they," his constituents, want and obviously, to him, it's not a debate.<br /><br />Another question: when is Cohen going to use his influence to bolster African American candidates in other parts of the state? Or is he content?<br /><br />*denotes paid subscriber content.<br /><br /><ul><li>Past M:M on <a href="http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/?q=race+card" target="_blank">the race card</a>.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="http://www.cohenforcongress.com/" target="_blank">Cohen for Congress</a>.</li><li><a href="http://www.rickywilkinsforcongress.com/" target="_blank">Wilkens for Congress</a>.</li></ul>http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2014/06/on-race-card-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-1680155262455735422Sat, 17 May 2014 11:41:00 +00002014-06-01T20:58:52.876-05:00African AmericansCACivil RightsCommentaryFox13Henri BrooksHispanicsMDNMediaRobinsonShelby CountyWMCWREGOn Being Sway (Trying To Find The Answers In Brooks' Kanye Moment)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xoDO4cflEMk/U3cfpB_RPyI/AAAAAAAAWvo/dDVvfawwxzs/s1600/3733001_G.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xoDO4cflEMk/U3cfpB_RPyI/AAAAAAAAWvo/dDVvfawwxzs/s1600/3733001_G.jpg" /></a></div><br /><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Updated with links.)</span></i><br /><br /><b>UPDATE (5/31): </b>Commercial Appeal columnist Wendi C. Thomas has waded into the Henri Brooks-discussion, not really focusing on the remarks (which Thomas described as "inelegant") but the major underlying issue of whether African Americans are <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2014/may/31/black--women--and-hispanic-owned-businesses-get/?CID=happeningnow" target="_blank">being "shut out" of county contracts</a>.* There's even a <a href="http://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/1175499/wendi-c-thomas-was-henri-brooks-right.pdf" target="_blank">nice little infographic</a>,&nbsp;partly&nbsp;entitled: "Was Henri Brooks Right?" -- a trick question, folks.<br /><br />&nbsp;I'm just sayin, you have to wonder, "She's right about what?"<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />The history of Hispanics? No. That minority-owned businesses are being "shut out" of county business? No.<br /><br />Is she even right about how Tennessee's Title VI and the federal Title VII even apply to that county roofing contract? No.<br /><br />But let's not get in the way of good column. An excerpt from Wendi: <br /><blockquote><i>During the May spat over the diversity of the county roofing contractor, Brooks reminded fellow commissioners of a relevant section of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.<br /><br />“You can’t leave black folks out and say you’re compliant with Title VI,” Brooks said.<br /><br />“That’s why it was born, to make sure black folks did not subsidize their own discrimination.”<br /><br />But city and county data suggests that people of color — and women — are doing just that: They pay their share of taxes but their businesses don’t receive a proportional share of municipal contracts.<br /><br />While racial and ethnic minorities and women spar over the scraps, wealth is replicated in the hands of a few.</i></blockquote>Before continuing, let's recap some important facts: 1) the County's EEOC found that the company, who was awarded the roofing contract, was compliant. 2) No African American companies bid on the roofing contract.<br /><br />That last point is important: you can't get county business if you don't even apply.<br /><br />Back to the excerpt, though, in the quote, Brooks is referring to Tennessee's Civil Rights <a href="http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/civil-rights/titlevi/" target="_blank">Title VI</a> program -- not <a href="http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/titlevii.cfm" target="_blank">the federal law</a> (which Commissioner Walter Bailey referenced before she added on), but, in either case, it's not relevant. The state's Title VI program does not apply to employment, which was at the crux of the argument at the County Commission.<br /><br />Brooks and Bailey argued that the vendor was potentially flouting rules by hiring more of one minority compared to another and they cited federal and state Civil Rights laws. But those laws don't apply to employment and they don't address whether one minority should be preferred over another. That's why Roland was a voice of reason because Bailey and Brooks could open up a can of litigation just because they don't like something -- and that could eventually hurt African-American firms.<br /><br />And that's why, in this case, you can't move beyond the messenger but Thomas certainly tries. So, let's go with that. Are African American businesses being excluded? No.<br /><br />Here's what we know: there is a universe of minority and women businesses. How big is it? We don't really know but the historical assumption is that it's small with dense constellations formed in certain service areas but not in all facets needed to service governments or agencies. Beyond finding out why more of these minority and women businesses aren't stepping forward to get government business, we need to find a way to expand the very universe itself. But I digress.<br /><br /><b>ON AN UNRELATED, BUT RELATED, NOTE: </b>Democrats need to step forward and soundly deal with the Brooks remarks. [TSD <a href="http://tsdmemphis.com/news/20492-brooks-on-brooks-part-i" target="_blank">1</a>, <a href="http://tsdmemphis.com/news/20499-brooks-on-brooks-part-ii" target="_blank">2</a>] Why? They risk losing Hispanics to Republicans, as the Flyer's <a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2014/05/28/act-two-for-pablo-pereya-this-time-as-gop-activist" target="_blank">Jackson Baker dutifully notes</a>. In other words, in the eyes of Hispanics, local Dems run the risk of being just like the GOP on a national level.<br /><br />Let that marinate.<br /><br /><b>UPDATE (5/19)</b>: Commissioner Henri Brooks could eventually&nbsp;<a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2014/05/16/harvey-county-commission-may-seek-to-censure-brooks" target="_blank">face censure </a>for her actions and that's likely to setoff a new round of debate that could miss a larger issue for which we have yet to find an adequate answer. The Memphis Daily News <a href="http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2014/may/19/brooks-reaction-seeks-way-back-to-minority-business-issues/" target="_blank">hits on it</a>:<br /><blockquote><i>Before Brooks veered into what she viewed as a violation of an unwritten code, the issue was whether a business whose payroll is predominantly Hispanic is meeting a goal of a larger share of county government contracts and subcontracts going to minority-owned businesses and a minority workforce.<br /><br />Questioning about those details of numerous contracts has intensified among others on the commission and on the City Council after more than 20 years of black leadership in the Memphis mayor’s office, as well as an African-American majority on the Memphis City Council and six black commissioners on the 13-member County Commission. It reflects the frustration that a larger percentage of contracts haven’t gone to minorities despite political advances and the city’s majority-black population.<br /><br />And the questions usually don’t involve headcounts of “minorities” on the workforce of companies doing business with the county. They are questions about black-owned businesses and African-Americans on the workforce – not white women, Hispanics or Pacific Islanders.</i></blockquote>Again, with so much African American political influence, why aren't there more African-American-owned firms participating in government contracts? Because if there were, I'm inclined to believe that there would less haggling over "minority" employment. But I digress.<br /><br />Political influence plus majority population seemingly does not equate to a large portion of contracts. Maybe, the answer lies in addressing the mental, fiscal and whatever-else barriers that inhibit minorities (large and small) businesses from doing county business.<br /><br />Maybe, they need a Medici.<br /><br /><b>(ORIGINAL POST 5/17):</b> Remember when <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S78tT_YxF_c" target="_blank">hip-hop journalist Sway interviewed Kanye West</a> on his radio show last year, the moment <a href="http://news.rapgenius.com/Kanye-west-sway-in-the-morning-with-kanye-west-excerpts-annotated" target="_blank">when Kanye exploded</a> in frustration when Sway pushed him to explain the method in his proverbial madness in kowtowing to major corporate investment dollars to build his clothing line and other ventures?<br /><br />A partial transcript compliments of Rap Genius: <br /><blockquote><i>[Sway]: But why don't you empower yourself and don't need them and do it yourself?<br /><br />[Kanye West]: How Sway!<br /><br />[Sway]: Take a few steps back, and-<br /><br />[Kanye West (and Sway)]: You ain't got the answers man! You ain't got the answers! (Kanye) You ain't got the answers, Sway! (Kanye) I been doing this more than you! (Doing what more than me?) You ain't got- (C'mon, chill out, bro!) You ain't got the answers! (Kanye, relax!) You ain't got the answers! (Bro, rela- I'm asking you a question!) You ain't been doing the education. (Bro!) You ain't been doing the education! (Kanye, calm down!) You don't have the answers though. (Calm down!) Because you trying to give me advice about something- (No! No no no no, listen) You ain't- You ain't got the answers! You ain't spend 13 million dollars of your own money trying to empower yourself!</i></blockquote>By itself, this was epic. It launched <a href="http://hiphopwired.com/2013/12/01/10-hilarious-aint-got-answers-sway-memes-photos/" target="_blank">memes</a>&nbsp;as testament to Kanye's perceived narcissism. But in the full context of the entire interview, his emotional display notwithstanding, West, who was later apologetic, made a credible argument about what it takes to grow a business and brand.<br /><br />On Monday, Shelby County Commissioner Henri Brooks had <a href="http://wreg.com/2014/05/13/commissioner-brooks-says-hispanic-and-african-american-struggles-arent-comparable/" target="_blank">a Kanye moment</a>*, one that left many scratching our heads and wondering if she's a racist based on her remarks about the difference between Hispanics and African Americans. Local media went looking for answers, even if they started a day late.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">_____________________________________________________________________</div><br />Here's what she told Pablo Pereya (<a href="http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/25511701/controversial-comments-made-by-county-commissioner-are-caught-on-camera" target="_blank">WMC</a>), not word-for-word though: &nbsp;<i></i><br /><blockquote><i>"Your situation does not compare to mine. What you are experiencing as a minority has probably been blown out of proportion here. It's not about you as a minority. It's about black folk in Shelby County who are trying to get employment in Shelby County … people who pay taxes. Not to say that you don't," she said.</i><br /><i><br /></i> <i>Commissioner Brooks went on to say, "And let me say one last thing. You asked to come here. You asked to come here; we did not. And when we got here, our condition was so egregious, so barbaric … don't ever let that come out of your mouth again ‘cause you know what? That only hurts your case. Don't compare the two; they're not comparable."</i></blockquote><br />I figuratively flatlined the moment when <a href="https://twitter.com/tdnpols/status/465959836006350848" target="_blank">The Daily News live-tweeted the "come here" portion</a>&nbsp;and have since gone on record noting that <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mediaverse.memphis/posts/10203770645014997?comment_id=10203770880460883&amp;offset=0&amp;total_comments=14" target="_blank">Brooks' remarks to Pereya are racist</a>. It was the "only hurts your case" part that sealed that characterization for me because 1) she's an elected official, a position of authority and influence, and 2) the role of race as a deciding factor.<br /><br />But now, after viewing the whole discussion regarding <a href="http://shelby.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=4&amp;clip_id=813" target="_blank">the roof replacement contract</a>&nbsp;(start at the 2:09:36 mark until about 2:42), I've developed a different view.<br /><br />In other words, I channeled Sway and tried to take a few steps back to see the full context -- not a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry2H32Ve5gw" target="_blank">"race-baiting"</a> YouTube version that&nbsp;<a href="http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/25509649/accusations-of-race-baiting-at-county-commission#axzz31etNEDny" target="_blank">sparked Fox13's interest</a>. But I digress.<br /><br />Let's retrace.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">_________________________________________________________________</div><br />It should be noted that the discussion around the B Four Plied Inc. bid to replace the roof on the Peggy Edmiston Administration Building dates back to at least February. There had previously been a question about B Four's hiring practices as it relates to minorities.<br /><br />On Monday, to continue that discussion, Commissioner Walter Bailey moved the contract from the Consent Agenda to the Regular Agenda. That's when Commissioner Terry Roland--astutely, I might add--questioned the rationale of the Commission potentially voting down a contract for no other reason than the company employs more of one minority (Hispanics) than another (African Americans). Doing so, Roland argued, would not help the Commission as it moves forward to study supplier diversity.<br /><br />He added:&nbsp;<i>"<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">At the end of the day, you cannot tell a company, a private company, what minorities to hire. I think we really need to be careful at what language that we use because we could end up finding ourselves in court over nothing."</span></i><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />To which, Bailey countered that the "red flag" of suspicion was raised because only five out of B Four's 35 employees are African American. He suggested that the disparity, if you will, lends itself to potential discriminatory practices that violate federal Civil Rights Laws, especially since he argued that the roofing industry is "replete" (i.e. filled) with African Americans. (It's unclear if that's true in Shelby County.)<br /><br />Commissioner Brooks supported Bailey's argument, also noting state laws that prevent discrimination but she voiced frustration at continually seeing contracts that appear to stand contrary to it. Supplier Diversity has been a key push for years on the Commission.<i>"I’m at a loss for words for the frustration that I feel when we always leave out black folk,"</i> she said, adding that the laws were written so that black folks don't subsidize their own discrimination.<br /><br />To which, Roland, a voice of reason (and no, I can't believe I typed that), argued that his fellow commissioners were misreading federal and state law and noted that the Commission stands to be sued if it voted against a company with 76 percent minority employment because it didn't have enough of one minority. And if sued, Roland said he would stand with the company because the Commission is acting in the same manner that it accuses the company of acting.<br /><br />After being slightly admonished by the Chair James Harvey for that sentiment, a contrite Roland added, <i>"What I’m hearing is that you’re not considered a minority unless you’re African American and that’s absolutely the wrong way to be.”</i><br /><br />Harvey agreed. So do I. Take a breather here.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">_________________________________________________________________</div><br />This is really the crux of the argument -- or one event in the Oppression Olympics, as University of Memphis Professor Zandria Robinson describes it, where minorities seemingly compete over who is the most oppressed when, despite the varying degrees, all minorities are still under the same institutionalized, systemic, racist boot heel in every context, including historically.<br /><br />Yet, there are real dollars at stake in being most pressed.<br /><br />So, you have arguments like this one in the County Commission that try to set the proverbial record straight in terms of discrimination. It should be noted that the County's EEOC office, which is charged with investigating discrimination, found no irregularities in the purchasing polices and procedures that eventually awarded the bid to B Four and noted that all vendors complied with federal and state laws (which goes against <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1504769949745630&amp;id=100006379176291" target="_blank">Brook's argument on Facebook</a>).<br /><br />And that's why Commissioners Chris Thomas and Sidney Chism both argued that the debate over this contract really boiled down to certain commissioners not liking the way the rules applied in this case.<br /><br />In other words, it's battle over who is more minority -- or, if you will, in a majority African American county, do other minorities really matter?<br /><br />Enter Pereya, who has no connection to B Four and was simply asked by Roland to address the sentiment that Hispanics are not equally as oppressed as African Americans in Shelby County because he's Hispanic.<br /><br />Pereya, who says he grew up in Memphis, argued that Hispanics are the minority of the minority. And many commissioners were sympathetic to that argument, though Brooks tried to set the record straight and, well, here we are. In the weeds, trying to discern if she's racist.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">___________________________________________________________________</div><br />I don't believe that Henri Brooks is racist. (In a historical sense, African Americans cannot be racist; we can be prejudiced and bigoted but not racist.) Her body of work--even her respectful deference to Pereya at the start of her remarks--suggests she's not, though the remarks can be viewed as prejudicial or racial. (It's splitting hairs but it's necessary.)<br /><br />She's fought hard to redress issues of racism, especially in Juvenile Court. And when she first started yelling about the mistreatment of African American teens in that system, she was viewed as crazy and racist until the U.S. Department of Justice corroborated damn near everything she said.<br /><br />And to be sure, she does have a larger point about supplier diversity in the Shelby County government overall since only 20 percent of contracts are awarded to locally-owned small businesses. The county doesn't set aside <a href="http://www.shelbycountytn.gov/index.aspx?nid=320" target="_blank">specific contracts related to race and gender</a>, though by nature of this debate there is a concerted effort to make sure that there is diversity among the vendors in terms of race and gender. And to that end, if you further slice open that 20 percent, you'd likely find the actual portion of African- American-owned companies getting contracts is relatively small.<br /><br />That begs the question: why is that?<br /><br />WE DON'T HAVE THE ANSWERS, SWAY!<br /><br />I'm just sayin, one could argue, like Bailey, that the answer to that disparity or lack of participation or lack of access lies in hiring practices, though it would be difficult to prove that B Four's word-of-mouth recruiting is discriminatory. Should B Four do more to recruit African Americans, who likely don't even know it exists?<br /><br />WE DON'T HAVE THE ANSWERS, SWAY!<br /><br />One might argue, as Brooks does, that African Americans have historically been discriminated against and that makes it more difficult for African American companies to place themselves in a position to compete for government contracts. And that government should do all it can to help African American businesses to address and overcome those systemic challenges.<br /><br />True, but no African-American owned company submitted a bid for the contract. What's the County to do about its roof?<br /><br />WE DON'T HAVE THE ANSWERS, SWAY!<br /><br />Again, I'm just sayin, if as Brooks and Bailey both seem to acknowledge that it would be wrong for even an African-American owned company to hire all African Americans and get a county contract, and noting that there are zero public examples of the County Commission denying such a contract, then we're really lost in the weeds.<br /><br />If Civil Rights laws are distorted to pick a favorable minority in some instances when the laws apply to all, what does that say about those who do it in the name of <a href="http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2014/may/16/civil-rights-leaders-comment-on-brooks-remarks/" target="_blank">honoring their ancestors</a> who died for those rights in the first place?<br /><br />I really don't want to answer that. Neither does Sway.<br /><br />*WREG: <a href="http://wreg.com/2014/05/16/civil-rights-law-at-center-of-commissioners-comments-on-race/" target="_blank">Civil Right laws at the center of Commissioner's comments</a>.<br />*WREG: <a href="http://wreg.com/2014/05/16/group-compares-commissioner-henri-brooks-to-malcolm-x/" target="_blank">Brooks as Malcolm X</a>. (Me: Hell Naw.)<br />*Flyer: <a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2014/05/16/harvey-county-commission-may-seek-to-censure-brooks" target="_blank">Possible Censure of Brooks</a>.<br />*Flyer: <a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2014/05/15/henri-brooks-donneybrook-has-the-outspoken-county-commissioner-crossed-the-line" target="_blank">The Full Donnybrook</a>.<br />*Vibinc: <a href="http://www.vibincblog.com/?p=13046" target="_blank">Regarding Henry</a>.<br /><br />*Credit to University of Memphis Professor Zandria Robinson for the Kanye tie-in [<a href="https://twitter.com/zfelice/status/467554293239672832" target="_blank">Our convo.</a>].http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2014/05/on-being-sway-trying-to-find-answers-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-4457807240626934845Tue, 06 May 2014 03:15:00 +00002014-05-05T22:15:49.363-05:00CACommentaryFlyerFox13MediaPovertyOn Inequality<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GoeZZyIPrXg/U2exWdozwgI/AAAAAAAAWt8/wLsDsgYZSKU/s1600/700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GoeZZyIPrXg/U2exWdozwgI/AAAAAAAAWt8/wLsDsgYZSKU/s1600/700.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div><br />In a recent post on <a href="http://www.theonion.com/articles/woman-a-leading-authority-on-what-shouldnt-be-in-p,35922/" target="_blank">The Onion</a>, Carol Gaither is considered a "foremost expert" on what the poor should and shouldn't have in the grocery baskets. An excerpt:<br /><blockquote><i> As verified by multiple eyewitness reports from supermarkets across the Northampton area, the real estate agent and mother of three is capable of scanning the contents of any low-income person’s basket and rapidly identifying those items which people like that don’t need to be buying, based on the products’ nutrition and cost. Additionally, Gaither, 48, is widely regarded as a leading expert in determining which groceries they would purchase instead if they had any common sense or restraint.<br /><br />“There’s no reason she should be loading up on those pricey TV dinners if she’s getting the government to pay for it,” Gaither told reporters at a local Super Stop and Shop, training her prodigious faculties on a welfare recipient using a benefit card in front of her in the checkout line. “If I were on food stamps, I’d just buy two whole chickens and a bag of potatoes—you could feed a family for a week on that and still have money left over.”<br /><br />“All that junk she’s buying is just loaded with sugar, too,” said Gaither, identifying with uncanny speed another critical flaw in her fellow shopper’s grocery selection. “No wonder her kids are acting out like that.”</i></blockquote><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4uhG7tW-3T4/U2e2WShoR6I/AAAAAAAAWuQ/AYkHKDT7KA0/s1600/CAPove1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4uhG7tW-3T4/U2e2WShoR6I/AAAAAAAAWuQ/AYkHKDT7KA0/s1600/CAPove1.png" height="320" width="292" /></a>The Onion is satire. But <a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/the-circus/Content?oid=3662820" target="_blank">the latest Memphis Flyer column from Fox13's Les Smith</a>, apologizing to the white community on behalf of a black community trapped in a "circus" existence, is not. Also real, and equally well-intentioned, is this post on "<a href="http://poormemphis.blogspot.com/2014/04/race-poverty-in-memphis-cant-touch-this.html" target="_blank">Poor Memphis</a>" about poverty, poor Memphians and tendencies.<br /><br />Oh, there's this Commercial Appeal photo and caption that reads: <i>"Conditions in neighborhoods such as South Memphis illustrate the effects of poverty on Memphis’ have-nots."</i>&nbsp;The composition of this photo, alone, tells so much about how the newspaper is Carol Gaither writ large and in person.<br /><br />And like Carol, within its world, the newspaper, as well as Smith, the Poor Memphis blog, et. al., don't see much wrong with its assertions. [The CA's <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/inequality/" target="_blank">Inequality in Memphis</a>&nbsp;series. * <a href="http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/?q=poverty" target="_blank">M:M poverty posts</a>.]<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />__________________________________________________________________________<br /><br />I tend to respond a certain way whenever I hear or read that metro Memphis (which covers eight counties, by the way) is the "poorest" metro area in the country when that designation is more about math and percentages, or when the term "segregation" is used to disparage personal choice or plain circumstance. For example, this sentence from <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2014/may/04/inequality-in-memphis-wharton-proposes-a-roadmap/" target="_blank">the CA</a>: <br /><blockquote><i>Of the nation’s 10 largest cities where economic segregation is the highest, Memphis is in <a href="http://www.theatlanticcities.com/neighborhoods/2014/04/us-cities-where-rich-are-most-segregated-everyone-else/8768/" target="_blank">first place</a>.</i></blockquote>The inaccuracy is easy to miss but click the link. It goes to an Atlantic article from April, which focuses on metropolitan statistical areas, not cities.<br /><br />That distinction matters but apparently not so much to folks who spend a lot of energy portraying Memphis, the city, as so poor and so fatally-African American that it is on the verge of failure.<br /><br />Stories tend to carry sentences like this: <br /><blockquote><i>Severe economic segregation, low levels of educational attainment, a high percentage of single-parenthood households, neighborhoods where the population is shrinking and most residents are African-American — they’re all are concentrated in the geographic area Wharton calls the sea of poverty.</i></blockquote>Laundry lists of all that is wrong with the impoverished -- and African Americans who are often viewed as synonymous with poverty even though 73.8 percent of Memphis residents (and more specifically, at least 68 percent of African Americans) live ABOVE the federal poverty line, according to the 2010 census.<br /><br />Those majorities haven't changed that much.<br /><br />Yet, we don't talk about that.<br />___________________________________________________________________________<br /><br />My aim is not to be dismissive of inequality. It is real. But I always push back against narratives that lay the city's challenges solely at the feet of the less fortunate, the single mothers, African Americans, the less educated and so forth as if THEY are reasons why we're in a "fix." Better yet, <a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/the-circus/Content?oid=3662820" target="_blank">let's just quote Les Smith</a>:<br /><blockquote><i>Black-on-black crime statistics are ridiculous. Numbers derived of decades of embracing some misguided sub-culture which has replaced the "American Dream" with a bizarro world equivalent, where success is measured in criminal arrests, bullet wounds, the number of illegitimate babies one can father, how much dope you can sling, and an adoption of a stereotypical swagger based on bluff, devoid of intelligence. In too many cases, blacks have shirked their parental responsibilities. Too many black children have grown up with no role models, other than inane entertainers, self-aggrandizing sports personalities, or street corner philosophers who dispense precisely the wrong information about how to overcome the obstacles presented by everyday life in America. And here's the kicker: History doesn't and shouldn't owe we African Americans anything! It's well chronicled how men and women such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Memphis' own Benjamin Hooks laid their blood, sweat, and tears on the line to enable future generations to enter the doors of equal opportunity. All of the civil rights legislation enabling that to happen has been passed. The biggest hurdle remains in the immeasurably difficult task of getting the minds of men and women to accept and take advantage of what are now the laws of the land as they apply to equal rights.</i></blockquote>I'm still in shock that this passage was cushioned within the author's apology to white people but Smith is not alone in his Gaitherian beliefs about tendencies and trends among Africans Americans, who are also synonymous with low income and all that's wrong.<br /><br />Let's not forget that governments basically fought against all that good civil rights legislation, perverting and thwarting its laudable goals. Let's not forget that when Memphis was booming with industry that the city and county failed to try shore up those neighborhoods that were affected when those industries closed down and moved out. Those neighborhoods--now majority African American--were left to fend for themselves without the resources to do it.<br /><br />Let's really get to the reasons why there are sections of Memphis with no doctor offices, no major bank branches and no grocery stores. Let's not forget how we demonize some neighborhoods for crimes that occur in all neighborhoods every night in newscasts and everyday online and in print. I mean, if we're going to call a spade a spade, then let's call it.<br /><br />But I digress.<br />_____________________________________________________________________________<br /><br />This is a city too comfortable with patronizing and demonizing. It's why the vast majority of the city budget goes toward public safety, namely police. We're afraid of our residents. We look at statistics like this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KXy79TUKgkc/U2f4n6RvP3I/AAAAAAAAWug/fKzl5a0O8sw/s1600/Pov1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KXy79TUKgkc/U2f4n6RvP3I/AAAAAAAAWug/fKzl5a0O8sw/s1600/Pov1.png" height="150" width="640" /></a></div><br />And we conclude that Memphis is far worse off than anywhere else when the other areas simply benefit by having bigger populations. (It's population size that explains why Memphis's average percentage of poverty between 2008-2012 is <a href="http://www.usa.com/rank/tennessee-state--population-in-poverty-percentage--city-rank.htm?hl=Memphis&amp;hlst=TN&amp;yr=6000" target="_blank">ranked 116 in the state</a> if you like rankings.)<br /><br />Again, I'm not suggesting that poverty isn't real. I'm arguing that it shouldn't define us at all and that, because we allow it, we tend to approach solutions from a position of weakness, not strength.<br /><br />I'm just sayin, one of the tenets of "Blueprint For Prosperity" is "<a href="http://www.cnt.org/ventures/equityexpress/" target="_blank">Equity Express</a>," which is basically designed to train low-income people to save money by being more environmentally conscious. An excerpt from the site: <br /><blockquote><i>The program not only offers concrete money saving tips, but also promotes a general understanding of important topics, specifically financial planning, energy, transportation, food, telecommunication, and recycling. </i></blockquote>Is the suggestion that low-income folks are incapable of understanding these "important topics" on their own? Oh yeah, maybe, that's why they're poor.<br /><br />Whatever.<br /><br />You can't help people when your very actions convey a disbelief in the abilities of the folks you want to help.<br /><br />Inequality will always exist. The story isn't only in the extremes. The test of the city is how it provides the opportunities and resources to enable mobility along the line of income, even when life (and one of the greatest recessions in U.S. history) pushes toward one end versus the other.<br /><br /><br />[* denotes subscriber content.]<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2014/05/on-inequality.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-7228000201695993610Tue, 01 Apr 2014 06:42:00 +00002014-04-01T12:42:06.235-05:00Amy WeirichChristian KirkCommentaryFlyerFox13Jackson BakerJudge Joe BrownMarcus HunterMediaMemphisShelby CountySocial MediaOn Crossing A Line (Judge Joe Brown)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABoTKyRJXNE/Uzo9ra3I9uI/AAAAAAAAT_I/ryZHDFrn9JU/s1600/JB-Brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABoTKyRJXNE/Uzo9ra3I9uI/AAAAAAAAT_I/ryZHDFrn9JU/s1600/JB-Brown.jpg" height="390" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>UPDATE</b>: Kirk <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yq92ADLSjE" target="_blank">responds</a>&nbsp;in a YouTube video. [Revisions below.]<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><b>ORIGINAL POST</b>: In a late evening post Monday, <a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/JacksonBaker/archives/2014/03/31/reporter-at-joe-browns-post-jail-press-conference-was-a-plant" target="_blank">The Flyer's Jackson Baker builds on a question</a> that<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mediaverse.memphis/posts/10203431389893831?comment_id=88961043&amp;offset=0&amp;total_comments=7&amp;notif_t=share_comment" target="_blank"> I somewhat answered</a> for one of my subscribers.<br /><br />Looking at a video entitled <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=UwZ-5WMdLL8" target="_blank">"The Illegal Arrest of Judge Joe Brown: His Full Interview!</a>," which occurred after his release from 201 Poplar on March 24, the subscriber wanted to know if the woman in the purple shirt (though it appears blue in this picture) was a reporter since she posed the first question to Brown as he was greeted by a throng of reporters and cameras outside.<br /><br />I confirmed that she was a member of<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ElectJudgeJoeBrown/posts/703159579705419?stream_ref=10" target="_blank"> Judge Joe Brown's social media team</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vnJ7BAuUUDU/UzpRwTS8iWI/AAAAAAAAT_Y/w4a3hOdngc0/s1600/JudgeJoe1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vnJ7BAuUUDU/UzpRwTS8iWI/AAAAAAAAT_Y/w4a3hOdngc0/s1600/JudgeJoe1.jpg" height="313" width="640" /></a></div><br />Yes, that is former Fox13 sports/reporter Marcus Hunter (<strike>or soon to be, former --</strike>&nbsp;He's leaving to be a morning anchor in Jackson, Miss but a source says he hasn't worked at Fox13 since last September when his contract wasn't renewed) in the picture as well. (Baker went to the same Facebook page and used a different picture but it really doesn't matter.)<br /><br />Hunter's Facebook profile notes him as "CEO &amp; Founder of Greater Area Memphis Media Entertainment [GAMME]," which he confirmed is "indirectly involved" providing video for the Brown campaign. [A caveat: this picture was posted to Facebook on February 28; Hunter didn't publicly announce his pending departure from Fox13 until March 29. Brown's Facebook page went live Feb. 17; he filed his petition to run for Shelby County District Attorney General on February 18.] <br /><br />And to continue keeping score, the woman in purple/blue, Christian Kirk, is a former TV reporter. A Memphian, she worked at <a href="http://wcbi.com/news/bios/christian.html" target="_blank">WCBI in Columbus, Miss</a>.<br /><br />So, what's the issue here?<br /><br />What's the harm in Judge Joe Brown's campaign "seizing" the story? That's how I described the campaign's seemingly swift and savvy response to the arrest in a tweet a few days ago and, at that time, I was side-eye challenged by another reporter who wondered if the whole thing -- the pro bono case, the appearing in a court with previous history, the outburst, the arrest and now even the post interview -- was staged.<br /><br />Well, knowing what we know now, there's credence to some degree of staging.<br /><br />It doesn't matter if, as one source noted, that Kirk could have been operating in a role as an independent reporter just asking questions. Independent reporters aren't listed on campaign sites as a social media team member.<br /><br />It doesn't matter if Kirk, as a social media team member, wanted to simply pose questions to Brown as he prepared to answer questions anyway. By not identifying herself, by merely blending into the throng of TV media present, she presented herself as something she is not. In this case, she's not an independent reporter; she's a campaign staffer.<br /><br />To make it even worse, she was the first person to pose a question -- "Judge, was this act politically motivated?" -- to which he responds in the affirmative, setting the tone for and tainting the remainder of the presser.<br /><br />In hindsight, it's laughable. Brown knows she's a plant. The video is designed to pass as a credible news report.<br /><br />But it's just a setup.<br /><br />And what if Kirk simply made a mistake, got too eager and messed up, well, the campaign didn't have to post the error of her ways but it did--on YouTube --and tried to pass off the whole ordeal as the truth.<br /><br />Another setup.<br /><br /><b>BUT I DIGRESS</b>: I don't have an issue with a reporter like Hunter working on a campaign in his spare time with his own company, though some news orgs expressly forbid it because of the appearance of impropriety. I simply would hope that the journalism ethics that guide his day job wouldn't be compromised by an after-hours gig. He's really too good for that.<br /><br />Yes, the Brown campaign has a right to shoot video of its candidate as long as they don't pass it as journalism.<br /><br />And if Brown is willing to accept that kind of deception, how can he honestly cast dispersion on his opponent's credibility?<br /><br /><br />http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2014/04/on-crossing-line-judge-joe-brown.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-3768958855497034579Wed, 12 Mar 2014 05:53:00 +00002014-03-12T10:20:10.741-05:00A C WhartonCACommentaryCrimeDavid WatersMediaMPDTeensThe Manhood ProjectWMCWREGOn Default (The Perception of Black Kids)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0TsphnT-CVk/Ux-lYsCGhNI/AAAAAAAAT88/TOrH37OX3UA/s1600/The+New+Kid_7033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0TsphnT-CVk/Ux-lYsCGhNI/AAAAAAAAT88/TOrH37OX3UA/s1600/The+New+Kid_7033.jpg" height="339" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kid No. 2.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We're expecting Kid No. 2. Though we won't know the sex for a few more weeks, people ask: boy or girl, which do you want?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"A healthy child" is my standard response but, these days, I wonder: "Does it matter?" Seriously. Does it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For a black child. In Memphis. This city, where one of the chief selling points for&nbsp;<a href="http://www.memphisprek.com/?page_id=25" target="_blank">Pre-K</a>&nbsp;was its likelihood to reduce crime. Let that marinate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At some point, in the eyes of this city, its media and its people, my child won't be a kid. It will be a metaphor with a great potential for crime because that's what statistics foretell about black kids in Memphis.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">People believe that, despite any evidence or possibility to the contrary.<br /><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The default persists.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">__________________________________________________</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K9uCDcBzS_4/UxONptAFPuI/AAAAAAAAT78/QCwcY6GgOqQ/s1600/Brothers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K9uCDcBzS_4/UxONptAFPuI/AAAAAAAAT78/QCwcY6GgOqQ/s1600/Brothers.jpg" height="174" width="320" /></a></div>It doesn't seem to matter much that there are many examples of African Americans who exist outside of typical storylines like President Barack Obama noted when he launched his "<a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/my-brothers-keeper" target="_blank">My Brother's Keeper</a>" initiative last month.<br /><br />The default captures our attention.<br /><br />An excerpt from <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/02/27/remarks-president-my-brothers-keeper-initiative" target="_blank">President Obama's remarks</a>: <br /><blockquote><i>If you’re African American, there’s about a one in two chance you grow up without a father in your house -- one in two. If you’re Latino, you have about a one in four chance. We know that boys who grow up without a father are more likely to be poor, more likely to underperform in school. <br /><br />As a black student, you are far less likely than a white student to be able to read proficiently by the time you are in 4th grade. By the time you reach high school, you’re far more likely to have been suspended or expelled. There’s a higher chance you end up in the criminal justice system, and a far higher chance that you are the victim of a violent crime. Fewer young black and Latino men participate in the labor force compared to young white men. And all of this translates into higher unemployment rates and poverty rates as adults.<br /><br />And the worst part is we’ve become numb to these statistics. We're not surprised by them. We take them as the norm. We just assume this is an inevitable part of American life, instead of the outrage that it is. (Applause.) That's how we think about it. It's like a cultural backdrop for us -- in movies and television. We just assume, of course, it's going to be like that. But these statistics should break our hearts. And they should compel us to act.</i> </blockquote>It's not that we've become numb to the statistics. It's really that we have become all too accepting of them, applying them like a broad brush to every black or brown child out there. I'm just sayin, we believe that these kids have inherent problems. We believe that they are the problem. Here's an excerpt of what Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr. said on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2014/mar/4/wharton-city-must-target-black-boy-crime/" target="_blank">"Behind The Headlines" the other day</a>:<br /><blockquote><i>“If you are in this town, you’ve been impacted by what young male blacks are doing. Your stores are closing. People are not investing. People are moving out. The fear factor is there. Let’s face it. And everybody’s impacted by it, so they are your little brother. The system at 201 Poplar will never do it alone.”</i></blockquote>There are no qualifiers there. The basic reaction is to assume that every young black male has the potential to cause this chaos that is supposedly destroying the city. And because we approach these kids with this kind of mindset, how exactly is that supposed to help them?.<br />______________________________________________<br />To get more perspective, I posed some questions to a good friend of mine, <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilBlack3HP" target="_blank">Phil Black</a>, who created <a href="http://www.tmpmentoring.com/" target="_blank">a mentoring and leadership development program</a> in the metro Detroit area in 2011. "<a href="http://www.gofundme.com/28me24" target="_blank">The Manhood Project</a>" is the kind of program that Obama seeks to build and encourage in communities. Here's our conversation:<br /><br /><span style="background-color: #dbedfe; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 1) What's your view of Obama's "Brother's Keeper" program?&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: #dbedfe; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I believe the President's initiative is a great step in the right direction. In doing this work, I have come to realize there are many people in general (but men specifically) who want to make a positive impact in the lives of young men of color but most do not have adequate resources or training to do it on consistent basis. My hope is that, by President Obama bringing the issue to the forefront, it will inspire those who have the resources to take a deeper look and take action.</span><br /><span style="background-color: #dbedfe; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #dbedfe; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px; white-space: pre-wrap;">2) Describe the Manhood Project and the need that created it.</span><br /><span style="background-color: #dbedfe; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Manhood Project is both a mentoring and leadership development program. We aim to reduce the at-risk behaviors of young men, while inspiring them to succeed. We offer a 26-week, curriculum based program that is heavily focused on enhancing students Communication and overall Social Skills. Like the President (and the majority of young men of color), I too grew up in a single parent home. I saw my father on maybe ten different occasions before he passed during my freshman year in college.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over time, I realized how much that void impacted me. But I was also able to see other men (e.g. Uncles, Coaches, Friends, etc.) who stood in the gap. I have always had a great desire to help young men from similar experiences. So when I did the research and learned that homes without fathers account for over 80% of students who show behavior problems, more than 65% of High School drop outs and more than 80% of youth incarcerations, starting The Manhood Project was a no-brainer.</span><br /><span style="background-color: #dbedfe; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #dbedfe; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 3) In the science of black males, there are a number of statistics that predict likely outcomes for black males. What type of impact do you think these stats, or predictors, have on the psyche of young black males?</span><br /><span style="background-color: #dbedfe; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think it depends on how the information is used. A good friend of mine once said, "There are three types of lies. Lies. Big lies. And statistics." That said, when the information is simply thrown at them in mass with no attempt to expand the conversation or to delve into the many factors (especially systemic), it can be damaging. On the other hand, those same numbers can also be very useful when working to impact behaviors.</span><br /><span style="background-color: #dbedfe; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: #dbedfe; color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 4) How can we uplift young black males without making it seem like they are inherently problematic?</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7;"><span style="color: #3e454c; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The short answer... tell the truth. What I liked most about how President Obama framed the discussion was in his statement, "We have got to help knock down some of the barriers that you experience." The issues young men of color face are not genetic, and they are not unique to any individual race or class of people. Yet the resources available to deal with them are grossly dis-proportioned. And most troubling is the fact that minor misbehavior or acts of defiance are not viewed through the same lens. I feel the best way to uplift our young men without making them feel inherently problematic is to honestly (as President Obama put it) acknowledge that barriers do indeed exist. Explicitly communicate what they are (including preferential treatments under the law) then equip them with the skills to overcome. But lastly, the heaviest lift is in the conscience of mass media. Until there is a more accurate and balanced depiction of (not just young but all) men of color in general, the societal attitude will continue to be that there must be something wrong with those people. And most unfortunately, our men will continue to feel the brunt of it.</span></span></span><br />_____________________________________<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YUfqJoALGnE/Ux_R85L5pII/AAAAAAAAT9M/TGPNUPvvPqU/s1600/20140311_205712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YUfqJoALGnE/Ux_R85L5pII/AAAAAAAAT9M/TGPNUPvvPqU/s1600/20140311_205712.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />Cartrail Robertson was 13, accidentally killed by a friend playing with a gun. (That kid is charged with reckless homicide.)<br /><br />Mayor Wharton compared Robertson's death to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wmctv.com/story/24823539/mayor-violence-related-deaths-comparable-to-health-pandemic?autostart=true" target="_blank">a health pandemic</a>. Last Sunday, The Commercial Appeal went further as part of its continuing series, "Children in Peril," being penned by columnist David Waters, who tried to decipher Cartrail's life by examining <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2014/mar/04/david-waters-pull-and-peril-of-violent-childs/" target="_blank">his Facebook page</a>.<br /><br />Yes, really, he did, decrying the culture of "violence" that permeates from the page via the kid's nickname (TrapBoy Trail), pictures, rap lyrics, foul language, etc. (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/cartrail.robertson" target="_blank">Cartrail's page</a>, which his family claims that they didn't know existed,&nbsp;has been sanitized, though a profile pic shows smoke billowing from his mouth.)<br /><br />In <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2014/mar/09/david-waters-two-faces-of-cartrail-sweetheart-a/" target="_blank">an accompanying story</a>, which dealt with the duality of Cartrail's existence--one as a smart churchgoing kid and the other as a wannabe gangster, Waters wrote:<br /><blockquote><i>The two photographs tell an all-too-common Memphis story of Children in Peril: Fatherless boys who wander — or are lured — into a perilous world of guns, violence and conflicted identities.<br /><br />According to the Shelby County Health Department’s Child Fatality Review Report, published last September, there were 97 child deaths per 100,000 population.<br /><br />African-American boys die at a disproportionately higher rate, and more frequently in violent deaths, than other children.</i></blockquote>I can identify, to an extent, with the code switching that fed Cartrail's existence -- the ability to switch effortlessly between two worlds while trying to maintain or develop a sense of self. Even if, as the article alleges, that Cartrail brought two guns and some crack cocaine to the house where he was killed, there's really no evidence that this kid even sold drugs or that he had a criminal record. His family argues in the article that he was raised better than that.<br /><br />So, could it be that the good kid may have been acting out? I mean, that's what kids do. Some kids, but black kids can't do that apparently.<br /><br />That frontpage picture of Cartrail makes him seem like a menace when, again, there's no real evidence that he was.<br /><br />But what about the statistics?<br />________________________________________<br />Let's deal in the raw numbers--not the percentages which can distort--in the <a href="http://shelbycountytn.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/13923" target="_blank">Child Fatality Review Report </a>that Waters cites. Between 2008 and 2010, there were 718 child deaths reported in Shelby County; the report, though, is based on a review of 566 of those deaths.<br /><br />Yes, the report notes that black children--especially boys--die at a disproportionately higher rates than others for most causes of death but that's partly explained by the fact black children (and boys) account for the majority of kids in the county. A high majority is to be expected.<br /><br />Yet, 364 of 566 deaths were attributed to natural causes. Only four kids of Cartrail's age died as a result of a homicide from 2008 to 2010, the report states. Four -- an extremely small number considering the tens of thousands of kids under 18 in Memphis and Shelby County.<br /><br />When we breakdown the number of kids who are in juvenile detention, it really helps to note that they are a small percentage of kids, that the vast majority of kids--whatever their personal circumstance--aren't getting into trouble.<br /><br />They don't deserve to be "defaulted" as potential problems or criminals in waiting. But it's hard to write columns about that.<br />_________________________________________<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KSI6GtP6m9Q/Ux_xOtJGhyI/AAAAAAAAT9c/TuUOG4o9XAU/s1600/WREGFair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KSI6GtP6m9Q/Ux_xOtJGhyI/AAAAAAAAT9c/TuUOG4o9XAU/s1600/WREGFair.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>I'm just sayin, it's possible that the vast majority of teens who showed up at the Memphis Police Department's Job Fair where probably just there to try and get a job -- and not to lumped into the narrative that they are most likely to get into trouble.<br /><br />They would've gone to the DMV if Sam's Club, Walmart, Burger King, etc. were there and hiring.<br /><br />Yet, "keeping young people out of trouble" was the substance of WREG's report on the fair. <a href="http://wreg.com/2014/03/11/hundreds-of-teens-line-up-for-jobs-in-north-memphis/" target="_blank">The script</a>&nbsp;is filled with stereotypical assumptions about black teens in the "hood" who believe that rapping or sports are ways out. I could go on but the actual video report is far less offensive.<br /><br />Still, the point is that reporter--like so many others, black and white--seemingly had a default perception of what these kids were supposed to be like and especially highlighted one who seemingly confirms the kind of challenge that police say that they are up against.<br /><br />I'm not arguing that there aren't black kids who cause problems.<br /><br />I'm just sayin, we should be careful not to swipe a broad brush over all black kids because of the actions of a few.<br /><br />And whether I have a son or another daughter, that media-enabled brush awaits her or him in Memphis.http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2014/03/on-default-perception-of-black-kids.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-8010588045121061621Mon, 17 Feb 2014 05:10:00 +00002014-02-17T06:41:00.301-06:00CACommentaryDrugsGeoff CalkinsMediaMemphisOn Life After Heroin (Piercing Denial)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d-N5HCCH7RY/UwE1YZCMGtI/AAAAAAAAT7I/Ryui7aE43NU/s1600/20140216_122033-1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d-N5HCCH7RY/UwE1YZCMGtI/AAAAAAAAT7I/Ryui7aE43NU/s1600/20140216_122033-1-1.jpg" height="320" width="225" /></a></div>Memphis has a heroin problem, notes Commercial Appeal columnist Geoff Calkins in an extended look at the usage of the drug that was posted <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2014/feb/15/geoff-calkins-rampant-heroin-use-leaves-grim/" target="_blank">online Saturday</a>* and on Sunday's front page.<br /><br />An excerpt: <br /><blockquote><i>Memphis has a heroin problem. The problem is that too many Memphians are shooting up and dying.<br /><br />“We are seeing an increasing number of deaths related to heroin,” said Amy Weirich, Shelby County District Attorney. “I think most of the deaths that we’ve seen have been upper and middle class white kids.”<br /><br />In 2010, Shelby County reported 11 heroin deaths. In 2013, the number nearly quadrupled to 42. There have already been five heroin deaths in 2014.<br /><br />“It’s rampant,” said Debbie Coy-Wheeler, regional director at Bradford Health Services, a Germantown treatment center. “We’re seeing it younger and younger. Specifically, with heroin, we’re seeing a lot of upper and middle-class Caucasian families. A lot of it starts with opiate addiction. Maybe they get pain pills for a sprained ankle. Or maybe they go to their parents’ medicine cabinets.”</i></blockquote>This is simply the latest story about heroin to be published in the aftermath of <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/02/showbiz/philip-seymour-hoffman-obit/" target="_blank">actor Philip Seymour Hoffman</a>'s overdose on Feb. 2. That "Life After Heroin" might be reactionary does not matter; this story is important because it shatters the stereotypical local drug narrative, which focuses on the poor and inner city, by shedding light where heroin denial truly exists: in the suburbs, in white homes.<br /><br />Or so it tries.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />__________________________________________<br />It's hard.<br /><br />Yes, there are heroin users in Memphis but the use of "Memphians" just enables denial since the impact of heroin use is clearly where most upper and middle class Caucasian families live, which is in the suburbs--Germantown, Collierville, etc.--where folks tend to shun being "Memphians" when adverse topics, like drugs, come up.<br /><br />The article notes heroin deaths in Shelby County but Calkins should have been, and perhaps could have been, more specific as to where these deaths are happening. <br /><br />It's important to name names because areas where we typically report about the ravages of drug use aren't afforded such confidentiality or masking.<br /><br />But I digress.<br />___________________________________________<br />I struggle with the significance of numbers. Knowing that we can't really determine the actual extent of heroin in Shelby County, are 42 deaths in 2013 (and five so far this year) significant?<br /><br />Set aside the unreasonable position of "one death is too many" because there's no way we're getting to zero, there are nearly 1 million residents in Shelby County. That doesn't register as a problem that requires the use of words like "rampant."<br /><br />Then again, when dealing with human interest stories, the real attraction is in the people, not necessarily the numbers.<br /><br />And to that end, I'm truly intrigued.<br />____________________________________________<br /><br />Since prescription drugs often lead to heroin use, can we explore whether kids are over-medicated, especially in upper and middle class homes?<br /><br />Or better yet, should parents be held responsible if their kids get high using the medication in their medicine cabinets?<br /><br />A final excerpt from the article, where a support group of mothers with addicted kids is interviewed: <i>The mothers told stories. Heartbreaking stories. Of handsome, high-achieving sons overtaken by addiction.<br /></i><br /><blockquote><i>“When my son was going to rehab, he told me 'At least I won’t have to detox when I get there because I haven’t been using,’ ” said one mother. “By the time the plane landed, they had to send an ambulance because he’d been detoxing on the plane. So of course he’d been using.”</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Another mother said she hadn’t seen her son since November of 2012.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>“He walked out of rehab. He didn’t have a license, a credit card, anything. For six weeks, we didn’t know where he was. I’m dying of a broken heart.”</i></blockquote><br />As Calkins notes, these parents ignored so much. They saw but didn't acknowledge the red flags. And for what it's worth, none of these stories would likely make the newspaper or a TV newscast.<br /><br />That's what makes "Life After Heroin" important because, at the very least, we are more aware. <br /><br />^ New York Times: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/11/us/heroins-small-town-toll-and-a-mothers-pain.html" target="_blank">Heroin's Small Town Toll, and A Mother's Grief.</a><br />^ New York Times: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/11/health/prescription-painkillers-seen-as-a-gateway-to-heroin.html" target="_blank">Prescription Painkillers Seen As A Gateway to Heroin</a>.<br /><br />[* notes subscriber content.]http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2014/02/on-life-after-heroin-piercing-denial.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-4654342531192066230Sun, 19 Jan 2014 15:04:00 +00002014-01-19T20:27:56.026-06:00CACommentaryFox13Local24MediaSocial MediaWMCWolfchaseWREGOn Reporting "Shots Fired" (Heist at Wolfchase Galleria)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Be5gvCaROIs/UtvXpv1QB7I/AAAAAAAAT4g/iICLbt9AC_8/s1600/JillCunn.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Be5gvCaROIs/UtvXpv1QB7I/AAAAAAAAT4g/iICLbt9AC_8/s1600/JillCunn.png" height="340" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>UPDATE</b>: Reeds Jewelers remained closed Sunday. Police also continued to refine the narrative: no guns, just sledgehammers, and not even a robbery, just a theft of business. (<a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2014/jan/19/memphis-police-say-no-shots-were-fired-jewelry-sto/" target="_blank">CA$</a>, <a href="http://www.wmctv.com/story/24491174/breaking-reports-of-shots-fired-at-an-east-memphis-mall" target="_blank">WMC</a>, <a href="http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/24493686/reeds-jewelry-closed-today-after-robbery#axzz2qockkIOr" target="_blank">Fox13</a>. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/19/us/tennessee-mall-jewelry-theft/index.html" target="_blank">CNN</a>.)<br /><br />There has been some pushback against local media reporting but this makes no sense. If anything, criticize police for the information that they release. Then again, the police are only responding to the public's right to know what occurred.<br /><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><b>ORIGINAL POST (1/19)</b>: Sometime around 7:30 p.m. Saturday night, five (or six) suspects robbed the Reeds Jewelry store inside of Wolfchase Galleria. They reportedly used sledgehammer and allegedly had guns. No one was injured. As of this posting, the suspects have not yet been captured, reportedly escaping with 65 Rolex watches, allegedly valued at $715,000. Chaos reportedly ensued at Wolfchase -- and so on social media and in news reports.<br /><br />Calm has been restored; news reports matured with more clarity (though the initial imprints of the story--URL addresses claiming shots were fired [though that was later denied by police and the mall]--remain in some cases. See, WMC and WREG.) (<a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2014/jan/18/wolfchase-shoppers-take-cover-shots-reported/" target="_blank">CA</a>*, <a href="http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/24491633/jewelry-store-robbed-inside-wolfchase-mall#axzz2qockkIOr" target="_blank">Fox13</a>, <a href="http://www.wmctv.com/story/24491174/breaking-reports-of-shots-fired-at-an-east-memphis-mall" target="_blank">WMC</a>, <a href="http://wreg.com/2014/01/18/shots-fired-inside-wolfchase-mall/" target="_blank">WREG</a>, <a href="http://www.localmemphis.com/story/update-robbery-leads-to-lockdown-at-wolfchase/d/story/neeVtzx_RECNkCNTwsRoUA" target="_blank">LocalMem</a>.)<br /><br />Today's exercise is not to revisit the few missteps, the tangle with conflicting accounts, that occurred in local news reports in the immediate aftermath of the robbery. Mistakes happen. Information evolves. Words, during on-air ad-libbing, can get mushed, miscontrued or come up missing altogether. The point is: initial reporting isn't perfect but continual reporting is like ironing out wrinkles and turning them into creases.<br /><br />Lest, I get lost in metaphor; let's also note that, in these days of social media, every user is a media outlet and many of those "reports" have their own issues to say the least. (The WHOLE mall did not get robbed but I digress.)<br />____________________________________________<br />Two excerpts from the Commercial Appeal:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><span style="background-color: white;">A brazen smash-and-grab robbery carried out by at least five men wielding sledgehammers netted more than $700,000 worth of Rolex watches and sent customers scurrying for cover at Wolfchase Galleria Saturday night.</span></i></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><span style="background-color: white;">Memphis police said that at 7:39 p.m. five men dressed in dark clothing armed with sledgehammers and guns robbed the Reed’s Jewelers Wolfchase location. Authorities later said there may have been a sixth suspect. [...]</span></i></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>Despite initial reports of shots being fired in the mall, police later said they didn’t think that was the case. It’s possible customers mistook the sound of the cases breaking as gunshots, they said.</i></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>The men escaped with 65 Rolexes valued at $11,000 apiece that were stuffed into pillow cases, police said. Jewelry store employees were still taking inventory more than two hours after the incident.</i></blockquote>Attribution is key. The Memphis Police Department is the source for the information but, in writing the story, some details gets mixed up while others should be questioned but aren't because that was the available information at the time. Just saying, <a href="https://twitter.com/MemphoNewsLady/status/424735636344406016/photo/1" target="_blank">Memphis police didn't say that the robbery</a> happened at 7:39 p.m.-- that's when they initially responded to reports of a robbery.<br /><br />One can also question the specificity of the number, brand and value of watches stolen but MPD is offered as a credible source who probably got its info from the jewelry store employees who, themselves, were still trying to assess the loss. Still, all of that gets calcified into fact in the Commercial Appeal story. (Happened in other news reports as well.)<br />___________________________________________<br /><br />We'll perhaps learn more in the days to come. Could this type of robbery be part of a trend?<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">Not so sure. RT <a href="https://twitter.com/stevenrussell">@stevenrussell</a>: Wonder if THESE guys in ATL ever got caught? Same guys responsible for Wolfchase job? <a href="http://t.co/YciVhHHAN3">http://t.co/YciVhHHAN3</a><br />— Mediaverse (@Mediaverse) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mediaverse/statuses/424769519220166656">January 19, 2014</a></blockquote><a href="http://arlington-va.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/police-rolexes-worth-609k-stolen-from-pentagon-city-mall" target="_blank">Similar robberies have been reported in Virginia </a>as well.<br /><br /><div class="storify"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="no" height="400" src="//storify.com/mediaverse/some-tweets-related-to-the-jewelry-store-heist-at/embed?template=slideshow" width="100%"></iframe><script src="//storify.com/mediaverse/some-tweets-related-to-the-jewelry-store-heist-at.js?template=slideshow"></script><noscript>[<a href="//storify.com/mediaverse/some-tweets-related-to-the-jewelry-store-heist-at" target="_blank">View the story "Some tweets related to the jewelry store heist at Wolfchase Galleria" on Storify</a>]</noscript></div><br />[* denotes subscription required.]http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2014/01/on-reporting-shots-fired-heist-at.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-3398006811849794297Fri, 27 Dec 2013 09:07:00 +00002013-12-27T20:36:52.824-06:00CommentaryFox13Greg CoyLes SmithMediaOn A Viral Video (Shots Fired)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TewgP7OoWMM/Urw8HwOl7qI/AAAAAAAAT2k/_Zt9mMt74-A/s1600/Fox13Apt5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TewgP7OoWMM/Urw8HwOl7qI/AAAAAAAAT2k/_Zt9mMt74-A/s640/Fox13Apt5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>UPDATE (12/27)</b>: On Thursday, more families were <a href="http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/24309512/city-helping-some-orange-mound-apartment-residents-find-new-homes#axzz2oaekBg6M" target="_blank">moved out</a>&nbsp;as more city officials got involved. Now, the city has found the owner of the complex and <a href="http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/24316559/memphis-files-lawsuit-against-park-place-apartment-owners#axzz2oaekBg6M" target="_blank">filed a lawsuit</a>, according to Fox13.<br /><b><br /></b><b></b><br /><a name='more'></a><b><br /></b><b>UPDATE (12/26)</b>: Terrica Brown, one of the residents featured in Fox13's story, <a href="http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/24304527/famil#axzz2oaekBg6M" target="_blank">no longer lives in the Park Avenue Apartments</a>. <a href="http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/video?clipId=9667556&amp;topVideoCatNo=230026&amp;autoStart=true#axzz2oaekBg6M" target="_blank">True to his word</a>, Memphis City Councilman Harold Collins has helped her get out.<br /><br />An excerpt from Fox13:<br /><blockquote><i>Collins helped Brown move out of her apartment and into a motel on Wednesday morning, where she will get to stay for free until she finds a permanent place. The hotel owner called Councilman Collins for the offer after seeing our initial story on the complex.</i></blockquote>Equally important, the woman, who fired the gun with a four-year-old by her side, <a href="http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/24300074/woman-with-child-charged-for-firing-gun-outside-apartment#axzz2oaekBg6M" target="_blank">has been identified, was arrested, released on bail but will appear before a judge today</a>. According to Fox13, 30-year-old&nbsp;Laterrica Strickland-Golden turned herself into police; apparently, that happened Tuesday, the day after the shooting. (Fox13's script says she went in Thursday, which is wrong, according to the court records.)<br /><br />Sigh.<br /><br />Double sigh, that even though Fox13 belatedly with some haste filled the huge holes in its original story the next day, Fox13 reporter Les Smith suggested that the remaining residents pull themselves up by their own bootstraps, implying that what they pay in rent to Park Avenue suggests that they have enough to go somewhere else.<br /><br />Really, Les?<br /><br />Short of blaming the victim, where else are the rest of these residents supposed to go? What palatial apartment complex will they find for $400 that doesn't increase their cost of living in ways only their household budgets can calculate? Do they even have the credit score to move up to a "better" complex?<br /><br />It's not that easy to move.<br />__________________________________<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_qheFpZxz4/UrmPMvzWxJI/AAAAAAAAT1o/WF8pxbScrG4/s1600/Fox13Apt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_qheFpZxz4/UrmPMvzWxJI/AAAAAAAAT1o/WF8pxbScrG4/s200/Fox13Apt3.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>ORIGINAL POST (12/24)</b>: On Monday, while reporting on the <a href="http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/24291320/shots-ring-out-at-apartment-complex-as-frightened-tenants-scurry-for-cover#axzz2oL5aDjsm" target="_blank">blighted conditions of Park Avenue Apartment complex</a>&nbsp;in Orange Mound, Fox13 reporter Les Smith and his photographer capture the perfect illustration:<a href="http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/video?clipId=9662873&amp;autostart=true#axzz2oL5aDjsm" target="_blank"> a woman firing a gun</a> and terrorizing an occupied apartment while a little girl, cold (or scared), stands next to her.<br /><br />Fox13 posted the video Monday afternoon; the headline reads: "Viral Video: Woman firing a gun at an apartment complex."<br /><br />During Monday's 5 p.m. newscast, anchor Greg Coy and Smith both express amazement at the video and concern about the residents but the video of the armed woman and child is only an illustration for the larger story about the blighted conditions -- even though, one would believe that the video alone should have redirected the arc of the entire package. Shortly before that newscast, Fox13 updated the story online:<br /><blockquote><i> UPDATE: We've just learned MPD did go to the scene, took a report and they have identified the suspect in the video. No arrest has been made at this time.</i></blockquote>As of this morning, that's all there is.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">_____________________________________________</div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SfLPtXZh2KE/UrmV2oMj_4I/AAAAAAAAT10/X5ONuaTSSN8/s1600/Fox13Apt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SfLPtXZh2KE/UrmV2oMj_4I/AAAAAAAAT10/X5ONuaTSSN8/s320/Fox13Apt1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />Let's recap: a Fox13 reporter and photographer are at an apartment complex to report on its blight and how residents live in fear. Two excerpts:<br /><blockquote><i>Terri Brown says the apartment she shares with her daughter has been broken into three times. At night they hear gunshots and empty apartments being ransacked by looters. <br /><br />She came to the Avery Park Apartments with hope for a better life but all she has left is desperation.<br /><br />Consider it your official welcome to the "hell on earth" inhumane conditions now being endured at the crumbling Avery Park Place Apartments in Orange Mound. With her daughter Andrea huddled by her side, Terri Brown, remembers the high hopes she had when two years ago she moved into the complex located in the 29-hundred block of Park.</i></blockquote>...<br /><blockquote><i>Only pictures can tell the true story of degradation and unhealthy squalor surrounding the less than half full complex, now occupied by a dozen adults and nearly two dozen children ranging in age from 3 to 16. One mother of four, who did not want to appear on camera, still voiced her fears about what's happening in this urban "no man's land."</i><br /><i><br /></i> <i>"Kicking the doors and stuff open. Snatching hot water heaters and stuff. Throwing bricks and stuff through the windows at nighttime. Dump trash, come over here shoot guns. Whatever they want. We ain't got no home over here no more." </i><br /><i><br /></i> <i>Brown, who like her daughter, suffers from epilepsy and other medical issues that's placed her on disability says she's has made an effort to find the apartment's owner.</i><br /><i><br /></i> <i>However, it proved to be a dead end.</i></blockquote><br />Again, the gun was fired while the story was being reported. Judging from the package, it appears that the reporter and photographer had spoken to the residents before the gunfire.<br /><br />How so? The reporter isn't asking them questions about that particular instance of gunfire; there is also video of residents being interviewed outside of their apartments but they don't appear to react to the gunfire -- that either suggests that the interviews were done before the shooting or that such incidences are so commonplace that residents are unmoved.<br /><br />I doubt that it's the latter because, in the stand-alone video of the gunfire, people can clearly be heard shouting to run for cover.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yl8HT9Beglo/Urmad2TC4OI/AAAAAAAAT2A/s3V-ULbFQg8/s1600/Fox13Apt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yl8HT9Beglo/Urmad2TC4OI/AAAAAAAAT2A/s3V-ULbFQg8/s320/Fox13Apt2.jpg" width="320" /></a>But that video is still just an illustration, the "official welcome to 'hell on earth'" that is referred to in the script. Nothing more.<br /><br />It's nothing more than the reporter dutifully noting that a tenant has also tried to find the owner but that proved to be a dead end.<br /><br />The story is about the complex--which appears to be misidentified as "Avery Park Palace Apartment" however it is the <a href="http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/17062878/2931-Park-Ave-Memphis-TN/" target="_blank">Park Avenue Apartments</a>&nbsp;(there is an Avery Park Apartment in Raleigh)--but the story should be about so much more.<br /><br />What about the little girl?<br />________________________________________<br /><br />I don't expect journalists to be superheroes. It's entirely unreasonable to expect the photographer to drop his camera and confront the woman with the gun. The police were called but we don't know who made that call.<br /><br />The woman has been identified but Fox13 has not reported on her identity -- nor that of the child or her welfare. It's the absence of this reporting that bothers me the most. (A request for comment has been sent to Fox13's news director Ken Jobe.)<br /><br />I could care less about the blight once I watched that child standing next to the woman with the gun. (The girl looked no older than my own 4-year-old daughter.) She was in danger. The woman--and it's unclear if she is the child's mother--clearly places her in harm's way.<br /><br />It's rather incredulous to see the woman break the window of the apartment, move the blinds out of the way to see inside and not be mindful of whether the people inside the apartment might be armed as well as could have returned fire. If they were and did, the little girl could have been killed; she was standing right in front of the window.<br /><br />It's a blessing that no one, including the reporter and photographer, were hurt but the aftermath is turning into an indictment of local journalism.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8g5TC7JJJM0/UrmgyN1MChI/AAAAAAAAT2Q/DCxO8h2XpyM/s1600/Fox13Apt4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8g5TC7JJJM0/UrmgyN1MChI/AAAAAAAAT2Q/DCxO8h2XpyM/s320/Fox13Apt4.png" width="320" /></a></div>Is Fox13 more concerned about getting viral video hits than finding out about the welfare of that child?<br /><br />Sure, violent incidents appear to happen often at this complex. Does that excuse Fox13 from not tracking down the woman who put this child in danger.<br /><br />Fox13 wants to evoke viewer passion and comments about the blighted conditions and absentee owners but the station, which could have tracked down the owners through property records, seems more interested in tragic irony and viral videos.<br /><br />The owners have failed these residents. So far, the journalists have too.<br /><br />*<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151860672883525" target="_blank">Video viral in Tampa</a>.http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2013/12/on-viral-video-shots-fired.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-7500538586990353946Thu, 12 Dec 2013 23:19:00 +00002013-12-12T17:20:11.660-06:00CACommentaryMediaMemphisSportsOn A Legacy Deferred (Charles Greenhill)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bF0lFJhOzfU/Uqogl4b7gDI/AAAAAAAATzs/JHSRuWruRHQ/s1600/CALegacy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bF0lFJhOzfU/Uqogl4b7gDI/AAAAAAAATzs/JHSRuWruRHQ/s640/CALegacy.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Today, December 12, the 30th anniversary of the plane crash that killed&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">then-Memphis State Coach Rex Dockery, offensive coordinator Chris Faros, defensive back Charles Greenhill and pilot Glenn Jones, the Commercial Appeal reflected on the tragedy in a package of stories, "<a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/crash-legacy/"><i>Legacy of the Crash</i></a>.*"&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"</span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Legacy</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">" is available online for CA subscribers; it will roll out in the print edition&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">between now and Sunday</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Some<a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/dec/11/kyle-veazeys-daily-dish-forthcoming-dockery-crash/"> context from CA reporter Kyle Veazey</a>,* one of three reporters who worked on "<i>Legacy</i>": </span><br /><blockquote><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"It is not so much your predictable commemorative story on a round number of years since the event as it is a deep dive into how each family has built their lives a generation later."</i></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He's wrong.</span><br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">_______________________________________________</span></div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bz2Rwq5-R_U/UqonDJfgbXI/AAAAAAAATz8/RmGZru5p4GA/s1600/CAGH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bz2Rwq5-R_U/UqonDJfgbXI/AAAAAAAATz8/RmGZru5p4GA/s320/CAGH.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On the front page, jumping to a full page inside the 'A' section, is the first "<i>Legacy</i>" story of</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/dec/12/legacy-of-the-crash-charles-greenhill-pride-of-a/" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">19-year-old Charles Greenhill</a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.*&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Homegrown hero," the main headline reads.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There's no debate, based on the online archives that accompany the package and even the remembrance within today's story, that Greenhill was a football star with NFL-potential who decided to stay home and attend Memphis State, in part, because he promised his mother that he wouldn't leave her.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />He was a football star 30 years ago. In today's story, he still is -- and apparently, that's all he is. An excerpt, quoting his mother, Sylvia Greenhill-Watkins, and Frayser High coach Terry Ryan: <i></i></span><br /><blockquote><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>“I had two brothers who played football for Northside and one of them, Archie Gillard, was the star quarterback,” she said. “Charles was just blown away by his uncle. He was a very small boy but it always stuck in his mind that he would play football like his uncle.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>“Football, baseball, basketball, it didn’t matter. Even an Easter egg, I remember he used that as a ball. He even wanted to give swimming a try but I’m glad he never really pursued that. That was about the only thing he didn’t do (athletically), though.”</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Greenhill played baseball in the spring and played point guard on the basketball team, averaging 15 points.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>“And one time the golf coach needed someone and he went out and shot in the 80s even though he had never played before,” said Ryan.</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>But mainly Greenhill played football. Lord, did he play football.</i></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm not being critical of the folks interviewed in the story. My primary critique of this story is that Greenhill remains just a football player.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sure, the reader learns that his mother loved him; he loved his sisters and they adored him; and some of other details but the promise of a deeper look into the lives of families went unfulfilled in this story.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, we're introduced to his mother. Thankful, she is still alive to talk about what seems to be her only son.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yet, there is no mention in this front-page story about the fact that Greenhill-Watkins sued Memphis State over the death of her son, a lawsuit that was dismissed&nbsp;but duly noted in <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/dec/12/lawsuits-followed-crash/">a footnote-like sidebar</a>.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm completely amazed at that omission.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">_________________________________________</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What was the purpose of today's story? Was it to simply fondly remember the deceased as he was 30 years ago or to do some actual journalism?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Readers were promised the latter -- a "deep dive" into lives of families. That didn't happen today.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If it did happen, then we would know more about Sylvia Greenhill-Watkins.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We would know her life story.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We would know how losing the son with NFL potential who promised to take care of her actually affected her life.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If she had won that lawsuit, how might her life had changed? Is she angry that Tiger Nation has seemingly forgotten about her?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Was she married back then? Or did she marry?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Does she still live in the same house?&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What kind of work does she do?&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We would know more about the lives of his sisters, LaDora and LaDonna, the twins who were five or six years old when their brother died.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What are they doing now? How has their brother's legacy continued on through them?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We would simply know more.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yet, unlike the other "<i>Legacy</i>" stories that made an effort to explore family lives, the legacy of Greenhill and his family seems to be stuck in the confines of 1983.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That is a shame. This story could have been so much more powerful. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm just sayin, couldn't Greenhill's legacy also be that Memphis athletes travel under much safer conditions now? That, if something does happen to them on the University's watch, that there might be some insurance or something?</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">________________________________________</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On a final note, while I applaud the CA for doing more online presentations, this series is woefully unimpressive.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I, for one, cannot wait until the CA ditches this layout format. '</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can't wait until they decide that videos should be more than just putting a camera in someone's face and saying talk.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can't wait until they consistently have online content and user experience worth paying for.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">[* denotes subscription content.]</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div></div>http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2013/12/on-legacy-deferred-charles-greenhill.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-4995579556917655346Mon, 19 Aug 2013 14:39:00 +00002013-08-19T12:34:46.884-05:00CACommentaryFox13GodspeedGraceLocal24MediaTina BirchettWMCWREGOn Grace (The Passing of Tina Birchett)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qXaeXpQw-Z8/UhIq_qSrLpI/AAAAAAAATaM/W62sWCPzNVo/s1600/grace.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qXaeXpQw-Z8/UhIq_qSrLpI/AAAAAAAATaM/W62sWCPzNVo/s400/grace.gif" width="313" /></a></div><br />On Sunday night, <a href="http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/23168257/sisterhood-sh">Fox13 reported</a> the death of Tina Birchett, publisher of Grace Magazine and founder of the Sisterhood Showcase. Birchett was 53.<br /><br />The news rippled through social media with colleagues and fans offering their condolences. Other stations began to confirm the death Monday morning. (<a href="http://wreg.com/2013/08/19/sisterhood-showcase-organizer-passes-away/">WREG</a>. <a href="http://www.wmctv.com/story/23169242/mid-south-mourns-a-champion-for-women-and-memphis">WMC.</a> <a href="http://www.localmemphis.com/news/local/story/Tina-Birchett-Dies/QlIHxvS7r0-gejrGp9yEUA.cspx?rss=59">Local24</a>. <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/aug/19/sisterhood-showcase-organizer-tina-birchett-dies/">CA[$]</a>) The cause is unclear, though WREG reported she died after a battle with cancer.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tsdmemphis.com/index.php/greater-metro/157-original/13824-rest-in-love-tina-birchett">The Tri-State Defender</a> has a pretty good remembrance. <br /><br /><a name='more'></a>______________<br /><br />There are so many unanswered questions.<br /><br />What happens to the Sisterhood Showcase, which recently completed its 18th year, now that's its engine is gone? What happens to Grace Magazine, known for its positive stories about women of color and other topics?<br /><br />I hope that both soldier on.<br /><br />I didn't know Birchett at all. I only knew of her through her work, and that work, in and of itself, is of unquestioned value for the information and positivity that it bestowed.<br /><br />Godspeed, Ms. Birchett.http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2013/08/on-grace-passing-of-tina-birchett.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-2059683341235402823Fri, 09 Aug 2013 06:28:00 +00002013-08-09T01:28:26.235-05:00CommentaryFlyerMediaMemphisTwitterOn The Twitterati (The Flyer Edition)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgKcXfVptlM/UgSBDkndYlI/AAAAAAAATZg/aZqE3n5GxeQ/s1600/fly_08_08_13_01_p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgKcXfVptlM/UgSBDkndYlI/AAAAAAAATZg/aZqE3n5GxeQ/s400/fly_08_08_13_01_p.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><br />In this week's edition of The Memphis Flyer, the city's alternative newspaper took the time to highlight some <a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/whos-who-in-memphis-twitter/Content?oid=3478056">local notables on Twitter </a>-- a relative "who's who," &nbsp;an "admittedly subjective list." An excerpt: <br /><blockquote><i>But what about "normal" folks? Why should anyone follow the non-rich and non-famous here in Memphis? Well, for one thing, there's not a newsperson, weatherman, or journalist in town worth their salt who doesn't tweet. Twitter is where news breaks in 2013 — before it gets written or broadcast. Twitter is where you can find out about a wreck on your commute or get a tornado warning or learn the Grizzlies have signed Mike Miller, hours before it becomes "news." Twitter is the stone tossed in the pond; it's where the news ripples start.</i></blockquote>Indeed, it is. (And yes, I'm on the list. Thanks.)<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br />Overall, it's an interesting list but, like any social media, it's reflective of the world in which the Flyer's staff operates. They meet some pretty interesting people.<br /><br />But not even those folks can completely represent Memphis. I suspect with the amount of good traction that this list received this Memphis Twitterati thing could go annual.<br /><br />I just hope the Flyer doesn't become a vanity publisher and start charging for folks to be included &nbsp;in the hardcover version for coffee tables.<br /><br />(But I'm not cranky, though.)<br /><br />Who do you think makes the list next year? Let me know in the comments.http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2013/08/on-twitterati-flyer-edition.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-6130312068114650299Sat, 04 May 2013 15:03:00 +00002013-05-04T10:04:11.868-05:00ABC24CommentaryMediaNexstarOn Being New (ABC24 Announces New Studio)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bfq3J3i9WBM/UYUbFLa4ZGI/AAAAAAAATUU/27h_yjoYyXY/s1600/newstu.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bfq3J3i9WBM/UYUbFLa4ZGI/AAAAAAAATUU/27h_yjoYyXY/s640/newstu.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">On Friday, <a href="http://www.nexstar.tv/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=14862:nexstar-broadcasting-to-open-new-state-of-the-art-broadcast-and-digital-operations-center-and-high-definition-news-facility-in-memphis-tennessee&amp;catid=40:cat-newsarticles&amp;Itemid=97">Nexstar Broadcasting Group Inc. officially announced </a>that the Twin Stations (WPTY, the ABC affiliate, and WLMT, the CW affiliate) will be moving into a new broadcasting and news facility in the Shelby Oaks Corporate Park. (<a href="http://www.abc24.com/content/newstation/story/Get-a-Sneak-Peek-at-ABC-24-s-New-Building/BMqxqp22KE6tCsBg8HkRRg.cspx">ABC24</a>)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The facility will also have the operations for WJKT, the Fox affiliate in Jackson, TN; full operations start June 1. An excerpt from the press release: <br /><blockquote><i>The new 27,000 sq. ft. facility located inside of the Shelby Oaks Corporate Park will feature a dynamic news studio outfitted with the latest HD news production resources and technologies including high definition studio cameras, enhanced meteorological forecasting technology and advanced weather and traffic presentation equipment. The new production and master control infrastructure will enable high definition commercial production and playback. Furthermore, the new Memphis facility will launch a unique news content center that features innovative equipment that allows the stations’ to transcend the traditional news presentation by providing local viewing audiences unique access to the news gathering and technical process.</i></blockquote>&nbsp;So can new digs elevate the Memphis stations at the bottom of the ratings ladder?<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br />__________________________________<br />The GM thinks so. An excerpt from the release: <br /><blockquote><i>Commenting on the new facility, Nexstar Broadcasting’s Vice President and General Manager for its Memphis and Jackson operations, Ardyth Diercks said, “Nexstar, and our Memphis/Jackson station operations are dedicated to supporting the evolving needs and interests of our local viewing communities, hometown businesses, and public organizations. With our soon-to-open Memphis broadcast and digital operations center and HD news facility, we are simultaneously raising our commitment to our viewers and advertisers with improved and enhanced content, production, marketing opportunities and overall viewing experience for the community at large. Our staff will benefit from the market’s most contemporary facility, fostering greater creativity through a modern work environment. With these many enhancements comes greater service to our viewers and unparalleled marketing results for our advertisers. [...]”</i></blockquote>To think, there was some question about what Nexstar would do in the Greater Memphis area. We're about to see how that pans out.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2013/05/on-being-new-abc24-announces-new-studio.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-1915918582300504023Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:08:00 +00002013-04-17T09:08:10.951-05:00Bill DayBostonCommentaryMediaOn Boston (A Bill Day Cartoon)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WRvCE9xhsE4/UW6rYOW4DOI/AAAAAAAATUA/_abLMFvk1qo/s1600/Boston.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WRvCE9xhsE4/UW6rYOW4DOI/AAAAAAAATUA/_abLMFvk1qo/s640/Boston.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />An archive of Bill Day's cartoons can be found on <a href="http://www.smartcitymemphis.com/cartoon/">Smart City Memphis</a>&nbsp;and syndicated by <a href="http://www.cagle.com/news/boston-marathon/#.UW6so7W86So">Cagle Cartoons</a>.<br /><br />Follow Mediaverse on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mediaverse">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/mediaverse.memphis">Facebook</a>.http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2013/04/on-boston-bill-day-cartoon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-6397312433057474118Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:54:00 +00002013-04-09T21:54:36.790-05:00AereoBloombergCable TVCommentaryFox13local mediaMediaNYTPCMagretransmission feesOn Aereo (Forcing Local Stations Into Pay Channels?)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xJeeDnQzGjo/UWTC1DhE3TI/AAAAAAAATTk/xetJA8HtWh4/s1600/NYTbroad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xJeeDnQzGjo/UWTC1DhE3TI/AAAAAAAATTk/xetJA8HtWh4/s400/NYTbroad.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Could <a href="http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/">WHBQ Fox13</a>, owned and operated by a News Corp. subsidiary, become a pay cable channel?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That's possible if <a href="https://aereo.com/home">Aereo</a>, a service that streams local television signals to mobile devices, expands into Memphis and broadcasters, like News Corp., carry through with <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/10/business/media/aereo-has-tv-networks-circling-the-wagons.html?smid=tw-NYTimesAd&amp;seid=auto&amp;_r=0">a threat to move to cable</a> in order to "protect" their content in every market that Aereo enters. This year, Aereo, currently based in New York, &nbsp;will <a href="http://blog.aereo.com/2013/01/1716/">expand to Birmingham, Ala. and 21 other cities</a>.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Its Memphis entry could only be a matter of time.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">____________________________________</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oj1Cuu4fEmU/UWTLU5c9lUI/AAAAAAAATTs/6mIG8jFooLE/s1600/EyeNewsReTran.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="68" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oj1Cuu4fEmU/UWTLU5c9lUI/AAAAAAAATTs/6mIG8jFooLE/s320/EyeNewsReTran.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A retransmission battle flashback from 2009</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The threat of Aereo lies in its ability to destabilize a pillar of revenue for local broadcast stations: retransmission fees. (From <a href="http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/search?q=retransmission">time to time,</a> we see those warnings from local outlets that viewers might no longer see their programming if a cable or satellite operator doesn't agree to pay to re-transmit their signals.) Those fees are worth billions to local stations.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But Aereo doesn't pay those fees. It captures the local signal the same way an antennae would and then streams that signal to the mobile devices or tablets of its paying customers. An excerpt from the New York Times: <br /><blockquote><i>Because Aereo cuts off the stations from the retransmission fees that they have grown to depend on, they are determined to shut down the service — even, the station owners say, if they have to take their signals off the airwaves to do so.<br /><br />Mr. Carey’s suggestion was dismissed by some as a hollow threat intended to scare the courts — which have ruled twice in favor of Aereo so far — and perhaps prod Congressional action. It is, at best, a far-fetched outcome. But it revealed a lot about the state of broadcasting, which appears increasingly antiquated in an age when wireless companies like AT&amp;T and Verizon — instead of TV stations — are snapping up spectrum and using it to deliver Internet services like Aereo.<br /><br />The networks aren’t just concerned about Aereo, which has a tiny following, but about copycats. “It’s Aereo today, but it could be something else tomorrow,” said Robin Flynn, a senior analyst at SNL Kagan.</i></blockquote>"Mr. Carey" is Chase Carey, the president of News Corp., which owns Fox Broadcasting, which owns Fox13. Another excerpt:<br /><blockquote><i> “We won’t just sit idle and allow our content to be actively stolen,” Mr. Carey said after speaking on stage at the National Association of Broadcasters conference in Las Vegas. “It is clear that the broadcast business needs a dual revenue stream from both ad and subscription to be viable.” If the revenue from retransmission fees starts to erode, he said, “one option could be converting the Fox broadcast network to a pay channel, which we would do in collaboration with both our content partners and affiliates.”</i></blockquote>According to the NYT, its affiliates agree with Carey. That could lead to some bland version on the public airwaves and a premium version, which includes sports and entertainment programming, on cable and satellite systems that pay retransmission fees.<br /><br />If Fox does this, <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-08/news-corp-says-it-will-take-fox-off-air-if-courts-ok-aereo-1-.html">other broadcasting networks--CBS, NBC, ABC and PBS--could follow suit</a>.<br />_________________________________________<br />As noted in a previous excerpt, Aereo could be just the beginning despite its limitations. An excerpt <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2401512,00.asp">from PcMag</a>: <br /><blockquote><i>In the end, if you're looking to cut cables and bills, Aereo probably isn't the solution you've been waiting for. While it's great to tune into or record programming that's currently on the air, the limited channels, a comparatively hefty $12 per month fee (compared with $8/month each for Netflix and Hulu Plus), and Mac-oriented development doesn't offer quite enough value. Unless you live in New York City, and you're dedicated to daytime soaps and talk shows, you're better off waiting for the big shows to show up on the on-demand streaming media services than relying on this limited TV-to-go service.</i></blockquote>Still, the proverbial blood is in the water considering that another company could come along and improve upon Aereo's concept.<br /><br />But there is a growing concern that if local TV stations abandon the public airwaves for a pay-model on cable and satellite then what about those who can't afford to pay $8 or $12 a month to watch it?<br /><br />In other words, just like newspapers have largely abandoned the public service of providing content for free and stuffed their work behind paywalls, local TV stations may not be that far behind, further creating an information/entertainment divide between those who can afford to pay and those who can't.<br /><br />Then again, as with newspapers, some folks might not even care.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2013/04/on-aereo-forcing-local-stations-into.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-3852713546331360182Sun, 07 Apr 2013 14:41:00 +00002013-04-10T22:13:22.891-05:00ABC24CommentaryGodspeedMark WaldenMediaOn Mark Walden (Godspeed)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydSQNE89yxM/UWGBDY7m6GI/AAAAAAAATTM/SiJMv8n7tHo/s1600/Storyw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydSQNE89yxM/UWGBDY7m6GI/AAAAAAAATTM/SiJMv8n7tHo/s1600/Storyw.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b>UPDATE (4/10):</b> The <a href="http://www.abc24.com/news/local/story/Funeral-Arrangements-for-abc24-Meteorologist-Mark/f8oA9FABWU2GwXwpTI8p7w.cspx">funeral arrangements have been announced</a>. Visitation and memorial service are slated for Saturday.<br /><b><br /></b><b></b><br /><a name='more'></a><b><br /></b><b>UPDATE: </b><a href="http://www.abc24.com/news/local/story/ABC-24-Mourns-Death-of-Chief-Meteorologist-Mark/V1XbFNNA5EefykTp8WE9_w.cspx">ABC24 reported</a> that Walden was found in his downtown home Saturday night. He apparently died of natural causes.<br /><br />According to sources, Walden was slated to be one of the judges of the&nbsp;Jack and Jill of America, Inc Southeastern Regional 2013 Ann Gordon Owen Teen Oratorical Competition on Saturday and organizers grew concerned when he did not come to the competition that morning. Organizers made calls to check on him, including to his wife who was out of town, sources said.<br /><br />Funeral arrangements are pending.<br /><br />*<a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/apr/07/memphis-television-meteorologist-mark-walden/">Commercial Appeal</a>. <a href="http://www.wmctv.com/story/21902435/abc-24-mourns-loss-of-chief-meteorologist">WMC</a>. <a href="http://wreg.com/2013/04/07/longtime-memphis-meteorologist-dies/">WREG</a>.<br /><b><br /></b> <b><br /></b> <b>UPDATE: </b>Quotes from <a href="http://www.abc24.com/news/local/story/ABC-24-Mourns-Death-of-Chief-Meteorologist-Mark/V1XbFNNA5EefykTp8WE9_w.cspx">ABC24's vice president and general manager and Walden's wife</a>:<br /><blockquote><i>"Our ABC 24 family is deeply saddened by the passing of chief meteorologist Mark Walden. He was highly respected among his colleagues and served this community as a gifted meteorologist and through his generous work with local charities. He touched our lives and will be greatly missed," stated Ardyth Dierks, ABC 24 Vice President and General Manager.<br /><br />"Our family thanks everyone in the Mid-South for their condolences and kind words," stated Mark's wife, Jackquelynne Walden. "Mark really loved his viewers. He never met a stranger. And we’re grateful for all the prayers and support."</i></blockquote><b>UPDATE:</b> ABC24 has posted a statement on the passing of Mark Walden:<br /><br /><i>ABC 24 Mourns Death of Chief Meteorologist Mark Walden<br />MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - It is with great sadness that we report the sudden loss of an ABC 24 family member, Chief Meteorologist Mark Walden.<br /><br />According to officials, Mark died in his home over the weekend from apparent natural causes. He was 38 years old.<br /><br />Mark joined ABC 24 in 1999. He was highly respected among his colleagues as a gifted meteorologist with a passion for weather, and keeping our community safe and informed. Mark also proudly served with numerous charitable organizations.<br /><br />He leaves behind his beloved wife, stepdaughter and son.<br /><br />Memorial services are still pending. All of us at ABC 24 are heartbroken by Mark's passing, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.<br /><br />ABC 24 will pay tribute to Mark Walden, beginning in our 5 p.m. Sunday newscast.</i><br /><br /><b>ORIGINAL POST</b>:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/markawalden?fref=ts">ABC24 Chief Meterologist Mark Walden</a> passed away Saturday. ABC24 staffers confirmed his passing in tweets and Facebook postings Sunday morning.<br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The ABC 24 family is mourning the loss of one of our own. Meteorologist Mark Walden passed away yesterday. He will be greatly missed.<br />— Amanda J. Alberti (@AmandaJAlberti) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmandaJAlberti/status/320867366709903363">April 7, 2013</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Truly a good guy died last night. ABC 24 Meteorologist Mark Walden passed away! Please pray for his wife and young son!<br />— Marcus Holliday (@MHollidayabc24) <a href="https://twitter.com/MHollidayabc24/status/320887638208966658">April 7, 2013</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br /><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It's with deep sadness to say my friend Chief Meteorologist Mark Walden passed away. I will miss you @<a href="https://twitter.com/markwaldenwx">markwaldenwx</a> <a href="http://t.co/Ac7knkHslY" title="http://twitter.com/ReporterJackie/status/320897247426514944/photo/1">twitter.com/ReporterJackie…</a><br />— Jackie Orozco (@ReporterJackie) <a href="https://twitter.com/ReporterJackie/status/320897247426514944">April 7, 2013</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br />Walden, a Tampa, Fla. native, joined the Twin Stations in 1999. The unexpected nature of this news is mindful of the loss of <a href="http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2008/07/on-brian-teigland-rip.html">Brian Teigland, who died suddenly in 2008</a>.<br /><br />One of Mark's passions involved&nbsp;philanthropy; a few years ago he founded a website called "<a href="http://thegivingexperiment.com/">The Giving Experiment</a>." <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AXUHRYRv4O0/UWGFjfLb0rI/AAAAAAAATTU/bV9pbrt-JQ0/s1600/3048853912635_ORIG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AXUHRYRv4O0/UWGFjfLb0rI/AAAAAAAATTU/bV9pbrt-JQ0/s200/3048853912635_ORIG.jpeg" width="150" /></a></div><br />In his own words: <br /><blockquote><i>I believe that you can't outgive the Giver! Life can be frustrating at times, but at the end of the day most of us on FB are living a blessed and abundant life when compared to the rest of the world. I like my share of things in the world, but at the end of the day, I came into the world naked and with nothing. So why spend a lifetime trying to accumulate a bunch of things that will not amount to a hill of beans in the afterlife?</i></blockquote><br />He leaves behind a wife and two children.<br /><br />Godspeed, Mark.<br /><br />More as this story develops.http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2013/04/on-mark-walden-godspeed.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-3101391479210757208Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:26:00 +00002013-04-04T10:26:56.384-05:00CACommentaryDr. KingErnest WithersFox13MediaMemphisNYTPerrusquiaTSDWaPoOn six:01 (MLK's Last 32 Hours)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oF6887KRDrw/UV2Bb-u3mdI/AAAAAAAATSE/L00grv3Rm4s/s1600/Screenshots_2013-04-04-06-09-06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oF6887KRDrw/UV2Bb-u3mdI/AAAAAAAATSE/L00grv3Rm4s/s400/Screenshots_2013-04-04-06-09-06.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Today marks the 45th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis and, in today's edition, The Commercial Appeal channels readers to that time in order to retrace and re-live the 32 hours that preceded the fatal gunshot from the rifle of assassin James Earl Ray that ended the Civil Rights leader's life<a href="http://media.commercialappeal.com/mlk/index.html" target="_blank"> at 6:01 p.m., April 4, 1968</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This isn't new ground. Many books, documentaries, films, etc. have explored the final hours (days, months and years) of Dr. King. (<a href="http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/sn/full-episodes.do#mlk-the-assassination-tapes" target="_blank">One example.</a>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mlkinmemphis.com/" target="_blank">Another more local</a>.) However, for the CA, "six:01" breaks new ground in terms of how the newspaper has chosen to retell this story; it's the Memphis (or E.W. Scripps) version of the New York Times "<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/projects/2012/snow-fall/#/?part=tunnel-creek" target="_blank">Snowfall</a>" or The Washington Post's "<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/sports/wp/2013/02/27/cyclings-road-forward/" target="_blank">Cycling</a>" -- template-thrashing, interactive and engrossing digital storytelling <i>experiences</i>&nbsp;that alter time and space for readers.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"six:01" isn't perfect. It's a bit rough in spots. Still, it's a good beginning.</div><div style="text-align: center;">_____________________________________________</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let's just dispense with the rough stuff first.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GP2Js_8ihfo/UV2NikrMM9I/AAAAAAAATSc/y2D-hr8Yklw/s1600/601chrome.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GP2Js_8ihfo/UV2NikrMM9I/AAAAAAAATSc/y2D-hr8Yklw/s640/601chrome.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Granted, this could just be my computer but the accompanying videos in "six:01" wouldn't play in my Google Chrome browser. I waited. And waited. And while I waited, the same videos, however, loaded quickly and played beautifully on my Samsung Galaxy Note II and in an Internet Explorer 10 browser -- and that is pretty cool because you really want to hear 81-year-old Dorothy Cotton sing. YOU MUST HEAR HER SING!&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The footnotes--and there are seven of them--are a pain because they interrupt the experience. Click on one and it opens the "Credits" page in a new browser/tab, which is especially annoying because you then have to scroll to the bottom of that page in order to find the footnotes and they are there in a jumbled paragraph as if the page designer was worried about running out of space. It doesn't have to be that way. <a href="http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9123674/don-king-faces-end-career#footnote1">Grantland.com</a> has seemingly perfected the annotation of long-form-storytelling by placing the note in the side margin; that could have worked well for "six:01." (At the time of this posting, Footnote #6 wasn't linked. Just trying to help where I can. But I digress.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9gACrf_cUi4/UV2QZ2oI29I/AAAAAAAATSs/zWVWLFXChNQ/s1600/601timeshift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9gACrf_cUi4/UV2QZ2oI29I/AAAAAAAATSs/zWVWLFXChNQ/s640/601timeshift.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The transition from April 3, 1968 to April 4, 1968 [and wild tangent here, but notice the absence of "th" in those dates, people. STOP PUTTING "TH" IN THE FULL DATE. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE! I'm done] represents another awkward moment.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"six:01" presents two main storylines--Dr. King's and his assassin's--that merge in a dramatic fashion at the end of the story but getting there is easier said than done. For instance, there's no way you can tell this story without devoting some good space to Dr. King's "Mountain Top" speech on the night of April 3 and reporter Marc Perrusquia does just that. He takes the reader from 9 p.m. when Dr. King finally takes the pulpit at Mason Temple to 10:30 p.m. when Dr. King finishes and "collapses in his seat."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, maybe, it's just the page design but, to keep the assassin's storyline moving forward, the timeline awkwardly shifts back to 7:15 p.m. when Ray checks in under a false name at the New Rebel Motor Hotel. Then, in a single sentence, reporter Marc Perrusquia pushes the reader forward to 10 p.m. and then midnight and the start of April 4.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oqrYOPU1Dus/UV2USPA1r7I/AAAAAAAATS0/5DrOKFVFHos/s1600/Excerpt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oqrYOPU1Dus/UV2USPA1r7I/AAAAAAAATS0/5DrOKFVFHos/s640/Excerpt.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The point is that there are better ways to do a transition. But I digress.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are other smaller quibbles--like <a href="http://media.commercialappeal.com/mlk/timeline.html">the lifeless feel of the timeline page</a>&nbsp;--but I'm just ready to move on to what excited me about "six:01" overall.</div><div style="text-align: center;">_____________________________________________</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As noted <a href="http://media.commercialappeal.com/mlk/about.html">in his bio</a>, Perrusquia invested some quality time researching and reporting to put "six:01" together and, for me at least, that diligence culminated in a subtle, but impactful, way that gave better context to his other related, but unrelated, stories about <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/withers-exposed/">the late photographer/newsman Ernest Withers</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm just sayin, when Perrusquia exposed Withers as an FBI informant in 2010, I couldn't really get a sense of the end-game or consequence of Withers' actions. Those stories just meandered in the revelation of Withers' dual role and that betrayal but in "six:01," where Withers doesn't really play much of an overriding role at all, it becomes clearer that perhaps that information was used in an effort to save Dr. King's life in as much as folks want to believe it was used to stop him -- or better yet, to prevent the next march from devolving into violence.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Read the article (I would cut and paste but the CA/Scripps apparently frowns upon that as that ability is disabled with the story) and Perrusquia notes that the FBI was concerned about the Invaders, a group of young black militants who conceivably could have disrupted the march as much as the Ku Klux Klan could have done. That little snippet of info contextualizes Withers' work in my mind. He wasn't a simple snitch. He perhaps worked to save lives.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But I digress.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Overall, I appreciated the humane and understated way that Perrusquia handled Dr. King's humanity. He doesn't judge King. His reporting simply allows Dr. King to be and allows the reader, post-experience, to further form any such opinions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, we just see King's temper, humor, weakness, infidelity, strength, fear and more in a really well-written manner throughout the story. It's aided by photographer Jeff McAdory's video work, which infuses some great photos to heighten the viewing experience. (He's no Alan Spearman but it's a start.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That's pretty awesome.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm not sure if this is Pulitzer worthy but "six:01" definitely deserves to win some awards.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">*TSD: <a href="http://www.tsdmemphis.com/index.php/greater-metro/11190-a-view-of-1968-memphis-45-years-after-dr-king?utm_source=Tri-State+Defender+List&amp;utm_campaign=097c1fd5c0-TSD_Digital_Daily_11_30_11_30_2012&amp;utm_medium=email">Bowers</a>.</div>http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2013/04/on-six01-mlks-last-32-hours.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837056182295574842.post-3389633411622494398Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:35:00 +00002013-03-15T07:51:56.469-05:00C. PeckCACommentaryMediaScrippsOn Chris Peck (Retired)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQ19d8rVOjs/UUL3GxUzY1I/AAAAAAAATRc/JOHHdsTnRSE/s1600/Peck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQ19d8rVOjs/UUL3GxUzY1I/AAAAAAAATRc/JOHHdsTnRSE/s400/Peck.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Chris Peck, editor of The Commercial Appeal, is <a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/mar/14/chris-peck-retiring-editor-commercial-appeal/?CID=happeningnow" target="_blank">retired</a>, starting today. If his retirement--announced to staff Thursday afternoon--seemed abrupt, it wasn't.<br /><br />The retirement has been a point of discussion between Peck and Mizell Stewart III, vice president of content for Scripps, "for awhile," he reportedly told staffers. Louis Graham, a longtime CA veteran, takes over as &nbsp;interim editor until a replacement is found. Stewart hopes to have that process completed in 90 days.<br /><br />An unofficial transcript of that announcement after the jump (Yes, if you're going to announce something to a room full of reporters, someone will likely be taking notes):<br /><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><blockquote><i>Peck, flanked by Scripps newspaper division vice president of content Mizell Stewart, told the staff:<br /><br />The news is that after 10 years as editor of The Commercial Appeal, I'm retiring. It's a big deal. I've never quite been there before, didn't know exactly how to do that, because as most of you know, I'm from a newspaper family and I've been a newspaper editor for 40 years, so I went to the worst case scenario handbook to see if there's anything in there. We've got escaping from quicksand, wrestling an alligator. Not too much about retiring. but it really isn't the worst case scenario.<br /><br />Mizell and I have been talking about this for a while, and, you know, there are a lot of things to do in life. I've poured everything I had into the newspaper business. It's really fair to say I've gotten up here a little while ago and said you know there are probably some other things I'd like to do, maybe sail my boat, spend some summers up in Idaho where it's cool, or figure out what the next great adventure is. That's the way i'm looking at it.<br /><br />It's just something that I think, you know, the time is right.<br /><br />You know if your daughter's a minister, there's always something that can fit the moment. (Takes out a piece of paper.) I'll read it to you. It's Ecclesiastes, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven."<br /><br />I think that's an important thing for me to realize. This has been a great run. I've loved being here. <br /><br />There's one thing i'm going to take with me, and the one thing I'm going to take with me is all the great work that this newsroom did. I went back and looked at it over the course of 10 years and some of you who have been here, you remember 'Fresh Eyes', where we went out and covered every Zip Code. You remember we did infant morality that really changed the whole dynamic of infant mortality in the state of Tennessee. We did (Ernest) Withers. We did Poverty Inc. and we got good stuff, and that's the part I'm taking with me. That's what keeps me satisfied knowing this was a great place to be and you're all really great people.</i>&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote><i> The worst thing about this job is that I happened to come right when the newspaper industry was tanking, and I had no idea that half my time was going to spent reducing staff these last 10 years. You never know quite what you sign on for, and I didn't know that was what I was going to sign on for, and I really regret that. That was something I know I wrestled with and I know everybody in this room did. But there's no reason to be less than completely optimistic in our future.<br /><br />Remember when I first came I put this little airplane on my desk (he holds up a child's toy airplane) the very first day and people would come in, I met everybody, and they'd go 'What the hell? What is that?' I said, this is an example of having to fly the airplane while we reinvent it. And right now you're all in the midst of that. You've got the four-platform strategy, that's got great great potential. You've got the zoned weeklies I think have got great great potential. If you can all pull that off, there's going to be a bright future for journalism in Memphis. Thank you all. I wish you all the very best. <br /><br />Mizell Stewart:<br />I just want to thank you Chris for your service and for the many contributions you've made to Scripps. I particularly want to thank you for the national distinction that you have brought to Memphis and the level of journalism that's been done here under your leadership.<br /><br />Just want to let everyone know that Chris is not going to completely cut ties with The Commercial Appeal. He's going to continue to be a contributor to the editorial pages in a fashion that's similar to the contributions that Otis Sanford currently makes. I'm confident that his passion for Memphis is going to mean that his service to this community is not going to end today. <br /><br />I just want to take a moment to let everyone know I've asked Louis Graham to serve as interim editor of The Commercial Appeal. We're going to begin a national search for a new editor and we'll be looking at candidates both inside and outside Scripps. And my expectation is to complete that process within 90 days and have a new leader selected for The Commercial Appeal. But once again, Chris, I just want to thank you for your leadership and for your service.</i></blockquote>There's so much here, especially Peck's regret at spending so much time reducing staff. It's perhaps genuine, though that does little to dull the irony of it all.<br /><br />Peck ended up like many of those he had no choice but to cut or encourage to retire (i.e. just leave) before they were ready.<br /><br />His exit seemed imminent--to me, at least--after Joseph Pepe was <a href="http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2012/06/on-picking-one-end-of-pepe-era.html" target="_blank">fired and replaced as publisher four days later</a>&nbsp;last June.<br /><br />Good or bad, Peck had his moments.<br /><br />I, for one, really liked that "Fresh Eyes" project, though fanning out to every zip code in the CA's coverage area and writing a profile piece, in hindsight, was more like a collection of trivia for newcomer editor than a newspaper reaching out to establish relationships with its readers. I, a business reporter, was sent to Atoka, a nice town but I haven't been back since -- and really neither has the CA.<br />_____________________________________<br /><br />And that's somewhat the point of his exit, right? Nothing really stuck. There were a number of initiatives that didn't last -- and perhaps, the state of the industry deserves a great deal of blame for that.<br /><br />The Commercial Appeal is Scripps's largest newspaper and <a href="http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2013/03/on-commercial-appeal-price-increase-for.html" target="_blank">its circulation is shrinking</a>. Peck always seemed like a reluctant cost-cutter but he did his job.<br /><br />In fact, one might argue that, despite all of the cuts and the succession of publishers, Peck and the rest of the executive management managed to minimize, or even hold at bay, some of the changes that befell other Scripps papers.<br /><br />I'm just sayin, things could have been worse years ago and we'll never really know the extent of the battles that Peck fought on behalf of a staff that, arguably at times, wondered if he was fighting at all.<br /><br />Then again, the changes came anyway so any delay or mitigation might have been pointless, except to those who were able to stay in their jobs just a little bit longer.<br />________________________________<br /><br />With Peck's retirement, Scripps has effectively cleaned house within the CA's executive ranks.<br /><br />And to that end, looking at his legacy, the accountability for how much the newspaper has struggled rests heavily on Peck's shoulders as editor.<br /><br />In the past, he has tended <a href="http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2009/05/on-deadline-rebuttal.html?q=spokane" target="_blank">to deflect that accountability when others placed it on him</a>. Even now, he said he didn't know what he was signing on for when he came to Memphis.<br /><br />It's naïveté's fault.<br /><br />In any event, he could've quit long ago. He didn't. A newspaperman from a newspaper family, perhaps that pedigree wouldn't let him.<br /><br />I applaud him for his perseverance and wish him well in his official return to being a columnist.<br /><br />Now his thoughts are no longer confined to the newsroom or journalism.<br /><br />When reached for reaction, The Memphis Newspaper Guild declined to comment.<br /><br />* <a href="http://www.memphisflyer.com/TheDailyBuzz/archives/2013/03/14/chris-peck-reveals-retirement-as-editor-of-the-commercial-appeal" target="_blank">The Flyer</a>.<br />* Commercial Appeal: <a href="http://blogs.commercialappeal.com/the_memphis_blog/2009/12/getting-to-know-the-commercial-appeal---3rd-floor.html" target="_blank">Getting to know Chris Peck</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />http://mediaverse-memphis.blogspot.com/2013/03/on-chris-peck-retired.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Richard Thompson)3